World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 to raise global awareness about the eradication of poliomyelitis and the importance of vaccination. Established by Rotary International, the date commemorates the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the team that developed the first successful polio vaccine.

History and Significance - The observance was established over a decade ago to celebrate global progress in eliminating the disease. Thanks to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), cases have plummeted by over 99% since 1988. The day honors the millions of volunteers, parents, and healthcare workers who dedicate their time to distributing vaccines, even in remote or conflict-affected regions.

Stop by ROTARY PLAZA on your way to Historic Downtownn Liberty Farmer's Market every Saturday, weather permitting, for COFFEE!

(no reservation needed - ALL are welcome)

Michelle Davidson Bratcher is a five-time regional Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, actor and TV host. You can see Michelle featured in roles on the acclaimed TV shows TED LASSO, TULSA KING, GOTHAM KNIGHTS, MINDHUNTER and HOUSE OF CARDS. On the big screen, she’s in the family films ACCIDENTAL FAMILY, RENOVATION OF THE HEART and GINGERBREAD MEN. Her other feature film credits include LUCKY, LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE, A FALL FROM GRACE and 25 MILES TO NORMAL. 

Michelle served as the President of FILM IN MO and current Board Member, which successfully advocated for the reinstatement of the Missouri film incentive to attract television series and film productions to the Show Me state in 2023.  She's also proud to be the founder of the non-profit Inclusivity Media which elevates new voices and shapes the future of filmmaking. 

Screenwriting is her passion. Michelle co-wrote the feature film ARBOR DEMON with Director Patrick Rea, starring Fiona Dourif and Jake Busey. She co-wrote several episodes of the national TV show "The Inspectors" on ABC. Michelle directed the short films "Sound Off," A Senior Moment" and “The Perfect Note,” which have won awards at film festivals around the world. 

Michelle hosted six seasons of the lifestyle TV show “Kansas City Live” on KSHB (NBC) and five seasons of the PBS show “CinemaKC” on KCPT. 

Michelle is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. 

Stop by ROTARY PLAZA on your way to Historic Downtownn Liberty Farmer's Market every Saturday, weather permitting, for COFFEE!

(no reservation needed - ALL are welcome)

Fun for all ages!     Candy and games will be available from 5pm to 7pm at Rotary Plaza and more candy/games/food will be found as you visit the merchants around the square.  A night of costumes, candy, and fun for the whole family on the Historic Downtown Liberty Square!   

Adult ONLY......Special "After Hours" Bourbon Tasting for Rotary members and their guests starting at 7pm.   

The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions.

The foundation was established in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US $26.50 to more than US $1 billion. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.

Erik McGuire is the new District 6040 Foundation Chair.  He will describe how our District works with Rotary International through The Rotary Foundation to support projects locallly and internationaly. 

Delivering the Healthcare Needs of People in Poverty, Disasters and Violence

Project C.U.R.E delivers life-saving medical equipment, supplies and services to meet the needs of people in poverty, disasters and violence. At least 400 million people have no basic healthcare. Every two seconds, someone aged 30 to 70 loses their lives to noncommunicable disease such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes or cancer. Many in the developing world have little to no access to identification, detection or treatment.

Rotary Club of Liberty Volunteers will be staffing the two main doors at Liberty HyVee on December 12th, 2026 from 10am until 6pm.    Read the instructions below for more details.  Sign up on the volunteer sheets to work a shift.  Encourage all  your friends to visit Liberty HyVee on December 12th!    Additional questions can be directed to Mitch Gloor, event chairman. 

Notes:    Thank you for volunteering to ring at the red kettle! When you are scheduled to start a staff member will deliver your kettle and bell(s) to you or if you are taking a shift during the day, the equipment may already be in place for you.  We may or may not replace the kettle for each volunteer. We like to keep track of how much each volunteer or group raises, but depending on staffing, you may receive an average on what you helped raise for the day.  Please understand if your kettle does not get switched out it is because we are trying to save on staffing and gas so that more money goes directly toward the mission of The Salvation Army.

For Lisa Essig, McDonald’s has become a multigenerational family business. Her dad bought a McDonald’s in Liberty when she was 13, and her first job there was working the drive-thru.  Through high school and college, Essig continued working there and considered turning it into a career. But she wasn’t certain until her junior year of college. Essig said she never felt pressured to join the family business. Working with her dad offered a behind-the-scenes look and a solid understanding of what to expect when she ventured out on her own. After earning a business management degree, Essig became a McDonald’s restaurant manager and then oversaw the family’s restaurants for about seven years.  At 30, she bought her father’s Liberty restaurant and later acquired his other three McDonald’s locations. Now with 38 restaurants, Essig Family McDonald’s is the largest woman-owned McDonald’s operator in the U.S.

Andrew is with the DIrector of Special Programs at Liberty Public School District - his topics will include