Rotary members in Dubois County are taking action in honor of World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
On October 24, the Rotary Club of Dubois County is joining with the four McDonald’s locations in Dubois County, in support of World Polio Day and polio eradication. From 5 to 8 PM, the McDonald’s restaurants in Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and both Jasper locations, will donate 20% of Happy Meal proceeds to the local Rotary to help eradicate Polio.
Jim McFaul, Community Service Chair for the Rotary Club of Dubois County states, “Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere, and Rotary members around the world have long worked to end the paralyzing virus, which will be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated. We greatly appreciate our collaboration with Mann Enterprises. The crippling disease can infect persons at any age, but Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age, therefore it is most fitting that the McDonald’s Happy Meal be the appropriate choice for this special day and donation.”
For those who cannot visit a McDonald’s location on World Polio Day but still wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the cause of eradicating polio, please contact the Club at rotaryclubduboiscounty@gmail.com.
Rotary has contributed more than US $2.7 billion to fight polio and countless volunteer hours since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985. In 1988, Rotary joined in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, later joined. When the initiative launched, there were 350,000 cases of polio every year. Today, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9%.
To sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1 for a total yearly contribution of US$150 million.
About Rotary
The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding of goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. The Rotary Club of Dubois County is an active social and service club comprised of dynamic and diverse professionals who make a lasting difference in our community and worldwide. The Club meets most Thursdays at the Ruxer Student Center at Vincennes University Jasper, 11:45 AM to 1 PM, and welcomes those interested in joining! Email rotaryclubduboiscounty@gmail.com or visit www.duboiscountyrotary.com for more information. Visit Rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
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