During the era of COVID-19, seeing people on the streets wearing masks has gone from oddity to commonplace. Noting the increasing demand, Louise Wright came up with an idea to supply masks to those in need, while supporting Rotary at the same time. Although not a Rotarian herself, Louise’s spouse Gord Svenson is a long time Rotarian and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Parksville AM.
Gord sent out the word that Louise was willing to make masks in return for donations to the Rotary Foundation. To date, a total of $945 has been raised.
A former Home Economics teacher and avid quilter, Louise certainly knows her way around a sewing machine. Not only are her masks lovely to look at in a variety of colourful fabrics, they are also designed so that a filter can be inserted to provide additional protection. Louise also extends a thank you to Rotary member Jo and Sandy Dunn for the elastic used in the masks.
While not technically a Rotarian, Louise nonetheless exhibits all the qualities of “Service Above Self”. She has been on six of the seven Rotary Live Different builds in Mexico, contributing her valuable skills in carpentry, painting and sewing, and her qualities of kindness and good humour.Louise has made quilts for the new homes in Mexico and has also collected used sewing machines, overseeing their transmission across the border. Never content to leave a job half done, she has given instruction to women in the area so that they can sew clothing for their families and perhaps even start their own micro-businesses.
Thank you Louise, for all that you do for Rotary and, by extension, for the ways in which you make the world a better place.
The Rotary Club of Parksville AM has an ongoing relationship with the 
