We are THIS CLOSE

Posted by Naomi Carmichael

Comox Valley Rotarians Celebrate Rotary's 107th Birthday

On 23 February every year, 2.5 Million Rotarians around the world celebrate the day in 1905 when Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, invited three business colleagues to join him in his office in Chicago for what became the first Rotary club meeting. Harris suggested that each week, the members should gather in each other's place of work on a rotational basis to promote their businesses and services. Within a short time, the early Rotarians decided that the social and professional network, though valuable, did not go far enough so projects were identified to help improve life for members of their community and the service club was born. Over the years, Rotary has expanded and is involved in many educational, humanitarian and social projects throughout the world, all aimed at promoting world understanding and peace. In 1979, Rotarians in the Philippines began raising money to provide polio vaccine for poor families in their country. By 1985 Rotary International had embraced the idea of eliminating the scourge of polio from the world forever. Rotary was joined by the World Health organization, UNICEF, the Centre for Disease Control in the United States and scores of national governments in the funding and distribution of polio vaccine. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation joined the effort fist by providing an outright grant of $155 Million to Rotary International and then issued a challenge to Rotarians to match a further $200 Million grant. Rotary rose to the challenge and as a result, $555 Million dollars were added to the funds available. Although polio is not in the consciousness of most Canadians in the 21st century, Canada was not declared free of the disease until late in the last century. Today, there are four polio endemic countries left in the world: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. The first letter of each country's name, when put together, spells the word PAIN and is an indication of the tremendous challenge remaining to eliminate the disease from the world for good. On 13 January this year a significant milestone was reached when India reported no new cases of polio for the previous 365 days - a significant first! When one considers that when India declares a National Immunization Day will take place, some 150 Million children under 5 years of age receive the vaccine in about a week, it is a significant accomplishment. On Thursday evening, Rotarians from the four Comox Valley clubs and friends gathered in front of a projected logo of Rotary's goal to End Polio Now on Courtenay City Hall. Earlier in the day a Rotary flag had been raised atop a pole in front of the building to wish Rotary a happy birthday.

On 23 February every year, 2.5 Million Rotarians around the world celebrate the day in 1905 when Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, invited three business colleagues to join him in his office in Chicago for what became the first Rotary club meeting. Harris suggested that each week, the members should gather in each other's place of work on a rotational basis to promote their businesses and services. Within a short time, the early Rotarians decided that the social and professional network, though valuable, did not go far enough so projects were identified to help improve life for members of their community and the service club was born. Over the years, Rotary has expanded and is involved in many educational, humanitarian and social projects throughout the world, all aimed at promoting world understanding and peace. In 1979, Rotarians in the Philippines began raising money to provide polio vaccine for poor families in their country. By 1985 Rotary International had embraced the idea of eliminating the scourge of polio from the world forever. Rotary was joined by the World Health organization, UNICEF, the Centre for Disease Control in the United States and scores of national governments in the funding and distribution of polio vaccine. Recently, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation joined the effort fist by providing an outright grant of $155 Million to Rotary International and then issued a challenge to Rotarians to match a further $200 Million grant. Rotary rose to the challenge and as a result, $555 Million dollars were added to the funds available. Although polio is not in the consciousness of most Canadians in the 21st century, Canada was not declared free of the disease until late in the last century. Today, there are four polio endemic countries left in the world: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. The first letter of each country's name, when put together, spells the word PAIN and is an indication of the tremendous challenge remaining to eliminate the disease from the world for good. On 13 January this year a significant milestone was reached when India reported no new cases of polio for the previous 365 days - a significant first! When one considers that when India declares a National Immunization Day will take place, some 150 Million children under 5 years of age receive the vaccine in about a week, it is a significant accomplishment. On Thursday evening, Rotarians from the four Comox Valley clubs and friends gathered in front of a projected logo of Rotary's goal to End Polio Now on Courtenay City Hall. Earlier in the day a Rotary flag had been raised atop a pole in front of the building to wish Rotary a happy birthday.