The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation continues their longstanding support for ending polio – a paralyzing, life-altering scourge on the verge of becoming the second human disease ever to be eliminated. Rotary International continues to commit to raise $50 million per year.
In response to this challenge, The Watertown Rotary Club is raising donations for The Rotary Foundation to pay for oral vaccinations by conducting a fundraiser called “The Swimarathon 2021” on February 27, 2021 at the YMCA in Watertown from 9:00 to11:00 AM. Swimmers are asked to seek out donations from friends, neighbors and fellow Rotarians in an attempt to raise $5,000. All donations will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on a 2 to 1 basis as Rotary International reaches a goal of $50 Million in 2020.
Rotary Swimmers this year will be announced by next week. Anyone is welcome to join in the swim! If you are seeking someone to support feel free to e-mail Don Klug at donklug@twcny.rr.com . and we will match you up with a fundraising swimmer.
YMCA Pool rules will be a bit different this year. Only three swimmers are to be allowed at a time in the pool, one within each of the 3 roped off lanes. As a result of this requirement, we will set up a schedule in half hour increments. We have had traditionally about 12 swimmers at the most, so this should easily work out to 3 swimmers every half hour
Each donation in the amount at least $25 is noted by our office manager Mariko to The Foundation and is matched by club points towards your PHF recognition. This is our clubs own 2 for 1 donation to assist each club donor to increase his or hers PHF totals.
Watertown Rotary has raised nearly $29,000 during the past seven years. The cost to immunize a child costs $0.60. With each $1,000 in donations, 1,666 children will receive immunization. Where else can you make a contribution that will have such a significant impact?
Please join us in the fun by becoming a fundraising swimmer or to make a donation to TRF and pass it on to any Rotary swimmer.