A local Rotary Club is joining with others around the globe to mark World Polio Day with an outdoor event planned this Saturday.
Rotary International has been working to eradicate Polio via a vaccination program for a little over 30 years, and has received major support from the Bill and Melina Gates program. In fact, thanks to the Rotary initiative, Polio has nearly been eradicated. In 2018, there were 13 cases in the world. When the campaign started, there were about 350,000 per year.
Rotary clubs around the world have committed to raising $50M per year for the next two years to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match those funds two-to-one, which would effectively triple every dollar raised.
The Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay is part of this initiative and will be gathering at Harbourview Park this Saturday for a Bike or Hike to help end polio. The event is also aimed at raising awareness of the Rotary End Polio campaign with Collingwood residents.
The Bike or Hike runs from 10 a.m. to noon and follows the walking trails from Harbourview Park (at the North end of Cedar Street).
Registration for the event is $25 per individual and $50 per family. Your registration fee will include a Rotary bike shirt (two included for the family rate). A portion of the proceeds ($10 for individuals and $20 for families) will be donated to the End Polio campaign.
The Quench Buggy will be at the event, so you can bring a reusable water bottle.
You can email John Saul ([email protected]) of the Collingwood South Georgian Bay Rotary club to register and order your shirt size.
