Next Rotary Dinner Meeting

Will Be A Public Info Evening

Newtown Rotary will host a Rotary Information Evening during its regular dinner meeting at The Inn at Newtown at 6 on Monday, March 12. The purpose of the meeting is to inform men and women of Newtown of the many activities and projects of the club that are designed to foster improvement not only in the local community, but also in the greater worldwide community.

One example of Rotary’s dedication to world humanity is its worldwide PolioPlus campaign. In 1985, Rotary International announced to the world its goal to eradicate polio from the face of the earth by the year 2005, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary.  Upon the launch of the PolioPlus campaign, Rotary was immediately joined by such organizations as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The world is now considered 99 percent polio free, with only four countries lacking their polio-free certification.

Rotary International is a volunteer organization of more than 1.2 million members in over 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas.  At a recent meeting, Dr Bruce Aylward of WHO, speaking on new developments in the polio vaccine, stated, “We develop the tools but it is the Rotarians who are the key to getting the vaccine in kids, as no vaccine works unless it’s in the kids.”

WHO estimates that, prior to 1985, approximately 1,000 children per day contracted polio. Since Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign was launched, 500,000 children a year have been saved from contracting this dreaded disease.

Anyone interested in learning more about Rotary and its impact on the community and the world is invited to this dinner meeting. Contact Carrie Swan, chairperson of the event, during the day at 426-1230 to reserve a seat.