A Thank You to our own Gail LaRocca

written by one of her friends

While the medical missions may still be on hold, our network of Wrap-A-Smile supporters certainly has not been idle. Today's thank you is directed to my friend Gail, a member of the Rotary Club of Winchester, MA, and one of my "forever friends".  

Last year Gail invited me to speak about Wrap-A-Smile at her Rotary club.  Soon after, generous Winchester Rotarians awarded us a grant to start the "Kit's Project": packages of pre-cut squares for simple pieced tops, to be distributed in locations that might attract new quilters.  An additional motivation was to provide an easy way for people who might be less mobile, to still participate in our project. Who knew how our world would be turned upside down soon after!

COVID-19 cautions nixed most of our plans to speak at senior centers, retirement homes, etc., but Gail figured out ways to distribute a number of the kits in her local area.  Messages went out through her zoom fitness classes and via the local senior center.  Soon Gail was hanging kits on mailboxes and leaving them on doorsteps.  And then people called for more!  Stories came back to her about how rewarding it was for people to have a worthwhile endeavor to keep them busy during their times of enforced solitude.  (A bit of serendipity?) Thank you to all who sewed kits for us....you know who you are!