*Photo Courtesy of Dave Bro, Special to The Register
“Unbelievable” is the best way to describe the this past Saturday! On February 7, 2009, about 60 members, friends and family of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Club gathered at the San Clemente Community Center as storm clouds swirled, and a heavy rain subsided. Just in time for the First Ever Polio Walk-A-Thon, we were spared the heavy rains that fell even up to an hour before the walk began. All wearing commemorative T-Shirt designed and graciously donated by Bob Harlow, of Harlow Design, the walkers left the community center and headed up Del Mar to walk and raise money for the eradication of the wild polio virus.
20 years ago, Rotary International undertook a challenge to its members to eradicate the wild polio virus throughout the world. In 1988, UNICEF reported more than 350,00 cases annually of Polio, a disease which had a terribly crippling effect upon its victims, some requiring an iron lung to keep them alive. During the past 20 years, Rotary International, though donations from its members has raised more than $700 million dollars to rid the world of Polio. The challenge now is to complete the journey, and finish the job in the few remaining countries where the wild polio virus can be found – Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. To help Rotary complete its mission, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged a total of $350 million dollars to match $100 million to be raised by Rotary International. The event Saturday was San Clemente Sunrise Rotary’s first polio-specific event, and more than $10,000 was raised by this little club of less than 40 members to fight the disease. These funds, once matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation should yield more than $23,000 to fight Polio. At a cost of just $0.60 each, the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary’s one-day fundraiser will assist with the vaccination of more than 38,333 people.
The Club wishes to thank Bob Harlow of Harlow Design who designed, printed and donated the commemorative t-shirts worn by all walkers to help raise awareness about the fight. Further, the Club wishes to thank San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak who, at a council meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 issued a proclamation declaring February 7, 2009 San Clemente Polio Day, who also raised more than $750 herself for the cause, and who braved the weather Saturday morning to walk with the club. The Club also wishes to thank Rotary District 5320 District Governor Roger McGonegal who, with his wife Sheila walked the historic San Clemente “T.” Finally, the Club really thanks member Patrick Griffin, of Griffin Optometric Group who dreamed up this fundraiser, and who with his co-chair Diane Wyzga saw the event through to its successful conclusion – right down to somehow keeping a weather-window open while we walked. Shortly after completion of the walk, the rain resumed.
Thanks to all who braved the weather and joined us. As always, it is not too late to joint in the fight to “End Polio Now.” If you wish to donate (we still have some t-shirts left!), please contact Patrick Griffin, c/o Griffin Optometric Group, 140 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672, (949) 492-1853.
Below are some pictures from the event. For more information, please see the several articles from the OC Register linked below:
Coverage of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary’s “Polio Walk-A-Thon” in the Orange County Register:
Member Pictures from the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary’s “Polio Walk-A-Thon”:
