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The Big Retreat at Port Ludlow
Foundation/PolioPlus
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Chuck barnes
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Chuck Barnes, Rotary Foundation Committee Chairperson, said he was “greatly encouraged by results of letters sent out earlier. In three weeks, the BBRC’s drive toward fulfilling its goal is $5,000 closer.”
A history lesson: In 1947, Paul Harris, Rotary’s founder died. To salute his memory, the Foundation was established. That first year, Rotarians contributed $1.5 million to fund the first program of the Foundation, Ambassadorial Scholarships. Ten years later, in 1957, the Paul Harris Fellowship Award program was created. In 1995, there were 500,000 PH fellows worldwide, raising over $1 billion for the Foundation since 1947.
The Rotary Foundation has funded 10,000 matching grant programs, 1,600 children’s opportunity programs. In 1985, Rotary vowed to eradicate one of the most crippling diseases ever to strike humans when the PolioPlus began. Rotarians raised over $250 million to fund the vaccine and inoculation program. Now, the goal is to totally eradicate polio from the face of the earth by 2005, Rotary’s 100th anniversary. In 1994, the Americas – North and South – became polio free. A year later, Western Pacific was freed. In 2002, Europe will become polio free. There’s just 1% of the earth’s population to go, and it will take a billion dollars to get that last 1%.
Several agencies are joining Rotary to stamp out this disease. the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention; the Gates Foundation; and the World Bank. “For 2002, our new challenge is for every single Rotarian to raise $150 for the Annual Fund. And to contribute minimally $150 to $200 to PolioPlus. Rotary has a commitment of $80 million toward this billion dollar challenge. Matching monies from the Gates Foundation and World Bank will help reach the total needed to carry out this program.”
If a Rotarian wishes, he/she can pledge out over 3 years at $50 a year. All of the contributions count toward Paul Harris recognition. Why would we want to do this important task? Chuck’s audience responded with the following: “To fulfill our promise;” “Because we can;” “Because we’re Rotarians;” “ I joined Rotary to make a difference in the world;” “ It’s about service above self.” The requirements to be a Rotarian is to be a leader and have financial resources. “We should feel good about giving. To eradicate polio is a major accomplishment.”
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