Kayaking for a Cause

On August 22nd, a beautiful Saturday morning, Ridgewood A.M. Rotarian Betty Wiest joined a packed flotilla of 180 paddlers for her third circumnavigation of Manhattan.  But this time was different.  On this occasion, Betty was kayaking for a cause:  the complete eradication of polio worldwide.  Betty thanked her supporters, saying "Your donation will be felt in those few remaining hot spots in rural villages."

 

The New York Times recently reported that, for the first time, no new cases of polio have been reported in Africa for one full year. Currently Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last places in which the virus is known to exist. Since 1985, Rotary International has been at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate polio. Rotary uses its members' business acumen and passion for volunteerism to build awareness, fundraise, and encourage national governments to donate to and otherwise support the polio eradication effort.  More than one million Rotary members have volunteered there time and personal resources to help end polio.  Since its inception, the Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Foundation has proudly supported the cause.