World Polio Day, recognized on Oct. 24, is a time for Rotary Club members, public health
advocates and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize progress in
the fight to end this disease and talk about the actions needed to take to end polio for good.
Every year, the Rotary Club of Waynesboro joins in the worldwide recognition of World Polio
Day by hosting “The World’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio.” Attendees of the Oct. 15
meeting are asked to forego their meal, pack a lunch and donate the cost of a meal to the
PolioPlus efforts. This symbolic sacrifice on the part of each Rotarian serves to raise awareness
and vital funding for the global effort to end polio.
Since 1988, the world has seen a reduction in polio cases of 99.9 percent. Only two countries
remain polio-endemic: Afghanistan and Pakistan, organizers of the effort noted. While the health profession is closer than ever to eradicating polio, the work is not done yet!
That’s why members of the Rotary Club of Waynesboro invites the public to join them on Tuesday, Oct. 15, for The World’s Greatest Meal and donate the cost of a meal to this important effort. Donations
help Rotary and its partners reach every child with the polio vaccine. Thanks to the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, each contribution will be tripled. Guests are encouraged to RSVP to
rotarywboro@gmail.com, pack a lunch and learn more about PolioPlus and polio eradication.
Today, thanks to the efforts of Rotary and its global partners, health professionals are on the verge of certifying the world polio free. Completion of this mission will mark only the second time in human history that a disease has been eradicated. Previously, only smallpox has been eliminated. Together,
polio can end as well!
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s
most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than
34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at
both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to
working toward a polio-free world. For more information, people may visit Rotary.org or EndPolio.org.
The Rotary Club of Waynesboro is a service organization supporting the local community for
more than 100 years. They meet at the Waynesboro Country Club every Tuesday at noon. For more
information, those interested are invited to visit RotaryClubofWaynesboro.org.
