Polio Plus Update
This Rotary Year we have an outstanding Polio Committee, with members that represent the four Regions and twelve Groups in our district. Contact information for members of the District Polio Plus Committee is attached.
It has been almost 38 years since Rotary International and its partners began fighting the good fight to eradicate this horrible disease. The good news is that we are in the last mile to End Polio Forever!!! When we started in 1985 there were 350,000 cases of paralytic Polio in the world every year. Today, since January 1st we have had just 7 cases in two countries, Pakistan - 2cases and Afghanistan - 5 cases. Both of these countries have been very cooperative with the GPEI Team. Vaccinators are being allowed to go into remote areas of the countries to vaccinate the children.
We have a few goals that we would like to accomplish this Rotary year.
- Reach out to DPPC members and have them come to your club and do a program on Polio.
- The Rotary Foundation goal is $1,500 or more from each club to Polio Plus. Please contribute what you can to help our district reach that goal.
- Have members of your club join the Polio Plus Society. We have had this program in our district since 2018. It is a terrific way to raise money and for club members to feel they really are doing something to help eradicate Polio. I have attached the pledge form. Complete the form and we will take care of the rest.
- There is a new program called the Kennel Klub, started by PDG Greg Owen in honor of his dog, Mollie. You can donate the money to Polio Plus, become a member of the Polio Plus Society and your dog will be named. See the attached flyer.
- World Polio Day is October 24th. It was started to honor Dr. Jonas Salk.
- We would like to see your club do something to honor this man and this day in your club. Hold a Polio bike ride, walk, run or a dinner, take the money raised and donate it to Polio Plus. You will find information on World Polio Day on the RI Website under Polio Plus.
Club Presidents and members, have a great year and please reach out to us for anything to do with Polio.
Yours in Rotary Friendship,
Jim Lewis
PP RC of Moorpark
D 5240 Polio Plus Chair
Email: jameslewis1118@gmail. com
Phone: 818 399-9870