Rotary Club of Lillington raises $3,630 to help eradicate polio worldwide
In response to a US$100 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2007, the Rotary club of Lillington raised $3,630 as part of Rotary International’s pledge to match it dollar-for-dollar over three years to reach the $200 million total, all of it for polio eradication. The Rotary District 7710 to which the Rotary Club of Lillington belongs, has raised a total of $215,944.75.
Rotary, a humanitarian service organization with nearly 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, made polio eradication its top priority in 1985. As the volunteer arm and lead private sector contributor in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has since contributed US$700 million, and its members have logged countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.
“The extraordinary dedication of Rotary members has played a critical role in bringing polio to the brink of eradication,” says Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Eradicating polio will be one of the most significant public health accomplishments in history, and we are committed to helping reach that goal.”
Local Rotary volunteer Glenn Hood views Rotary’s fundraising efforts as a way to fulfill the organization’s promise of a polio-free world. “Twenty years ago, we made a pledge to end this crippling and potentially fatal disease – once and for all. As we stand on the brink of victory, we will do everything within our power to fulfill this promise to the children of the world.”
Remarkable progress has been achieved in the fight against polio. Since 1988, the number of polio cases has been reduced from 350,000 a year to only 1,307 in 2007. Today, 70 percent of the world’s population lives in polio-free countries. The Americas were declared free from polio in 1994, the Western Pacific region in 2000, and Europe in 2002.
A highly infectious disease, polio still strikes children mainly under the age of five in countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Polio can cause paralysis and sometimes death. As there is no cure for polio, the best protection is prevention. For as little as 60 cents worth of oral vaccine, a child can be protected against polio for life.
The GPEI is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
For further information, visit www.rotary.org/endpolio
A Family Tradition
The Hood family’s 10th and final family member has become a Paul Harris Fellow!
The Hood Family PHF Christmas Photo
This is how they have done it:
18-Jan-1999 – Glenn (long-standing club member)
12-Nov-2001 – Ann Lasater Hood (spouse)
13-May-2003 – Son (Michael Eric Hood)
13-May-2003 – Daughter (Melissa Ann Hood)
13-Apr-2005 – Daughter-in-law (Amy B. Hood)
13-Apr-2005 – Son-in-law (William M. Poovey)
02-May-2006 – Grandson – (Benjamin Jackson Hood)
30-Oct-2007 – Grandson – (Nathan Davis Hood)
23-Oct-2008 – Granddaughter – (Annabelle Stuart Poovey)
06-Dec-2011 – Grandson – (William Sherod Poovey)
It has taken a while to complete this process, but as they get older and become Rotarians, they will be able to say they have been Paul Harris Fellows all their lives!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Lillington was represented in the annual Lillington Christmas Parade this year. The parade included several high school bands, two Sudan mini-car groups, horse and buggies, floats galore, and of course, old St. Nick himself!
President Jason Wunsch, his wife Laura and his daughter Brooklyn road in a car driven by club member Karen Kratz.
What is Rotary?
The Rotary Club of Lillington is an organization of business and professional persons united with worldwide Rotary clubs who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. You can learn more about our Club's projects and events within this site.
Chartered on October 23, 1937, the Rotary Club of Lillington has helped to make a better community. Working with the schools and helping build facilities for civic clubs and other events, the Rotary Club of Lillington has been a supporter of youth and education in our community and in the world.