Rotary clubs raise funds for Polio Plus
Rotarians from local clubs gathered at The Surfing Crab in Lewes Oct. 22 for an afternoon of crabs, fun and fellowship, all in the name of Polio Plus. Oct. 24 was World Polio Day, highlighting the efforts of Rotary International in the long battle to eradicate polio from around the world. Rotary is an international service organization comprising 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs around the world.
In 1985, when Rotary started Polio Plus, there were over 400,000 cases reported worldwide. Significant progress has been made since all Rotarians have pledged to eradicate polio from the world. Rotarians have raised well over $1 billion in the ensuing 32 years. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been an integral partner with Rotary, frequently making financial challenges. This year the Gates have challenged Rotarians worldwide by promising they will match $50 million each year with a $100 million match for a total of $450 million over the next three years. Since 1986, over 2 billion children around the world have been inoculated in part due to the more than $1 billion raised by Rotarians around the world.
This Polio Plus crab feast was sponsored by the Area 41 clubs from Rotary District 7630 which includes Georgetown-Millsboro, Lewes-Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach Sunrise, Long Neck Sunrise and Southern Sussex Rotary Clubs. Over $1,000 was raised for the effort going directly to the fight to eradicate what was once the scourge of American neighborhoods. Including the Gates Match, over $3,000 will go to Polio Plus. Rotarians are committed to finishing the fight and will continue Polio Plus until the last child is inoculated. Year to date, there have been only 12 cases reported. The goal of eradicating polio is coming closer. Once that happens, it will be only the second disease eradicated by mankind.
Over 60 Rotarians and friends were treated to excellent crabs along with outstanding service provided by The Surfing Crab while raising money and awareness of this worthwhile cause. This marked the 7th Annual Area 41 Polio Plus Crab Feast, and it was successful in raising more than $4,500, all donated to Rotary. For more information on Rotary and Polio Plus, go to www.rotary.org/endpolio.
