Nov 09, 2021
David Willman
Polio Plus Contributions for Polio Plus Day


 

Hello fellow Club Presidents and Foundation Chairs. 

 

Hopefully, your Rotary club has come up with some great ideas to use for education and philanthropy for World Polio Day on October 24th, and help the goal of eradication of Polio, Rotary's premier humanitarian project. Vaccination remains the only way to protect children from #polio. In Afghanistan, the polio program continues to work with all stakeholders to ensure safe access to reach every child with the polio vaccine. We are "knock on wood" at zero wild poliovirus cases starting on our eighth month now!  

 

Rotary Foundation Trustee Aziz Memon from Pakistan looks at how The Rotary Foundation is making an impact globally with a special message to all of us. 

 

Today, we all face continuing challenges caused by the pandemic.

Now, about COVID, we are people of action: people who create lasting change. Equipped with the resources of the Foundation, we can make a difference in thousands of communities throughout the world.

 

Our efforts include, but not limited to:

o          Ensuring the equitable distribution of vaccines

o          Combating vaccine misinformation; and

o          Slow down the spread of COVID-19

 

So far, over $46 million dollars for global grants have been used in the fight against COVID-19.

 

 

 

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We need to increase collaboration between all participants, particularly between Rotary clubs and Rotaract clubs.

Our Rotaractors are growing up in the digital era, and we must utilize their talents in finding new ways to connect despite the constraint of social isolation.

Now is the time to invite Rotaractors to shape our future. I’m sure that some of you have found creative and innovative ways to connect and serve, which we should look at to maintain in the post-COVID era.


The most important thing that Rotary members can do to continue the fight to end polio is to sustain our commitment towards polio eradication.

Some clubs may adopt a new mix of online and in-person meetings, and of course one has the flexibility to do this if it works for their members.

At its best, Rotary provides a cradle for grassroots change. Whether it be PolioPlus or global grants, it takes just an idea from one member to make a real difference. 

 

I would like to thank you for your outstanding service. Please help by giving what you can to the Rotary Foundation so that we can push forward the remarkable progress we have made for global public health.

 

In Rotary, we serve to Change Lives. And your role as a leader in Rotary gives you a special role in changing the lives of the people we serve, our fellow Rotarians, and ourselves.

 

Thank you, Trustee Memon, for your kind aspirations! 

 

 

Whether it is in the dunk tank, the World's Greatest Meal, or the club's Happy Bucks donations, every dollar raised will be used and is significant in the continued eradication and vaccination efforts. The District 5450 Polio Plus committee thanks you in advance for all you do to End Polio Now! 

 

In Rotary Service, 

 

David "Willy" Willman

D5450 The Rotary Foundation Chair