The case of Polio that arose in New York is a reminder that our Rotary promise to children of the world to eradicate this devastating disease has not yet been fulfilled. While the New York case was brought from another country, it highlights the possibility that letting our guard down against this disease could have devastating consequences for countries that are currently polio free.
 
Your support for Polio Plus is a critical strategy to fulfill this promise. With the match from The Gates Foundation, your dollar is worth $3 for polio eradication.

Keep reading for more helpful info to help you achieve your Polio Giving Goals
 
Another important strategy is to maintain vaccinations in countries that are polio free until wild polio has been stopped across the globe. Encourage your loved ones to make sure children are vaccinated so that we can reach this important goal.
 
The goal will be met when there are zero wild polio cases for a three-year period. In 2022, twenty-two new cases have been reported (20 in Pakistan, 2 in Afghanistan). Vaccine derived polio continues to occur in countries that do not have the ability to store and distribute vaccines that do not use the live polio virus. But those cases will cease once the wild polio virus has been stopped from infecting children.
 
Learn more about Rotary’s efforts to eradicate Polio at www.EndPolio.org.
 
To help us reach this goal, we are pleased to introduce the District 6250 Polio Plus Society. This is a new initiative from Rotary to encourage clubs and Rotarians to support Polio Plus every year until we achieve the goal of eradicating polio. Polio Plus Society offers special recognition for donations of $100 or more to Polio Plus. 
 
The following are attached to support your appeal. These materials will also be available at www.rotary6250.org/page/polio-plus-society in the coming days.
 
1. The 2023 DG Challenge for Polio Plus.
2. An appeal you can use with your club and community.
3. Polio Plus Society Membership Form.
4. A promo for the purple hair incentive.
 
Kathy Reinolt, Immediate Past President, Holmen Area Club, is our new Polio Plus Co-Chair. Kathy is leading the new Polio Plus Society. I am deeply appreciative for her work to elevate recognition for contributions to this most important of Rotary goals. Let us know if you have questions. Kathy can be reached via email at reinoltk@gmail.com.
 
Send us stories and pictures about your club's activities to support Polio Plus. We want to share them with DG Ben and District 6250 Rotarians. Let's reach this goal to keep our promise that children around the world will no longer need to fear the devastating health consequences of this disease!