Happy Birthday Rotary

Today, we mark the 110th Birthday of Rotary - started with a meeting of four businessmen seeking fellowship and fellow businessmen with high ethics with which they could exchange business on February 23, 1905.  And how far we have come, from one club with four members, to 1.2 million members (including so many active female Rotarians!), to the greatest service organization in the world providing Community, Vocational, and International service (along with that original 2 - fellowship and the promotion of high ethics) through the work of 34,000 clubs in almost every country in the world.

We also celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the PolioPlus effort.  Are you aware that over 10 million children are able to walk, run, and play today, which would be paralyzed by the Wild Polio Virus if it were not for your efforts?  O r that only 359 Polio cases were reported worldwide in 2014 (down from 350,000 in 1985)?  Or that India just celebrated their 4 year Polio Free Anniversary?  That the network of PolioPlus inspired clinics was instrumental in combating the recent Ebola epidemic?  And finally, are you aware that the continent of Africa has gone six months with zero reported Polio cases - which would leave Pakistan and Afghanistan as the only two Polio endemic countries - should the numbers hold in Africa?  PolioPlus is truly a gift to the world's children. 

So, today we celebrate Rotary's Birthday and your amazing service which has made our world a better one through the friendships which have changed each of our lives!