“By all accounts”, says Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) and Past President of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, “our collaborative service event on Monday, August 2, was amazing!”
 
For the Rotary Club of Harrisburg event, nearly 30 members assembled 500 period hygiene kits for the Period Project Harrisburg.  Inter-club and community group interaction during this event demonstrates a perfect example of Rotary International’s theme of Service Above Self.  Alaniz Edwards gives credit to her home club, the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, for providing her the first experience with a very critical need in local and international communities. 
 
L to R Ellen Brown, Susan Anthony, Walter Prediger, Becky Boone, Matt Tenny
 
 
Becky Boone from Harrisburg Keystone Rotary had organized tampon drives for the Harrisburg and Steelton/Highspire school districts.  Then she came to help HRC assemble approximately 500.
 
Period hygiene supplies are one of the most overlooked monthly expenses in a family's budget.  When community assistance organizations provide budget coaching for folks getting back on their feet or discussing basic needs, it's rarely even mentioned.  Maybe it's embarrassing to some people.  It's unfortunate that people experiencing period poverty will miss school or work-- or even worse-- use unsafe hygiene practices that can cause medical issues-- because those who can easily assist with this need are too embarrassed to even talk about it.
 
During the RCH event, Savory Occasions donated lunch for the volunteers and the Girl Scouts of the Heart of Pennsylvania office provided the kit assembly location and hand sanitizer to be distributed.  LOOP Ministries and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center arranged distribution of the packages to Harrisburg residents.  This distribution included Harrisburg School District students who may not be able to afford hygiene supplies for their monthly periods. 
 
Alaniz Edwards states, “We at the Rotary Club of Harrisburg are proud to support the Period Project Harrisburg and are thankful for their valuable service to the Harrisburg community."
 
Back row: Lee Tyre, Lisa Tyre, Brianna Tyre, Wil Everhart, Susan Anthony, an unidentified helper, Matt Tenny, Jill Hanes, Matt Tenny, Charlotte Tenny, Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Becky Boone, Toni Mark, Meghan Bachmore, Walter Prediger      Front: Jill Tenny, Ellen Brown, Janet Donovan, Una Martone
 
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg distribution included Harrisburg School District students who may not be able to afford hygiene supplies for their monthly periods.  The District one of the long-standing partners with the RCH.