PolioPlus For more than 30 years, Rotary and our partners have driven the effort to eradicate polio worldwide. Our PolioPlusprogram was the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication by vaccinating children on a massive scale. As a core partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary focuses on advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness-building. Rotary members have contributed $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $8 billion to the effort.  Polio Today With our partners, we have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent, from 350,000 cases in 125 countries in 1988 to just 33 cases caused by the wild virus in 2018. Only two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The infrastructure we helped build to end polio is also being used to treat and prevent other diseases and create lasting impact in other areas of public health. Our club can help eradicate this disease on October 24th, while we raise funds by spinning and volunteering. There are two links below for volunteer sign up.  Volunteer for the Purple Pinkie Table The purple pinkie table will be at the Dow YMCA's lobby, where we can interact with their members and the public. The volunteer at this table will be responsible for handing out brochures, painting purple pinkies, educating the public on Rotary's polio efforts, accepting donations and representing our club. Please consider giving an hour of your time.  Spin-A-Thon Sign Up The Spin-A-Thon will also be at the Dow YMCA's lobby. You will be riding a stationary bike to raise awareness of polio. We are encouraging you to make a pledge and get your friends and family to support! These slots begin at 30 minutes and can be as long as your legs can spin! Pledge forms will be available at Tuesdays meeting.  I'm really looking forward to hosting this event for World Polio Day. Let's show the community the good that Rotary does around the world!  What a great opportunity to spread the awareness of our club.