The Rotary Club of 100 Mile House recently presented Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod with a plaque of appreciation, which she accepted on behalf of her federal Conservative government.
It thanks the Tory government for matching Rotary Canada funds raised for its worldwide polio (poliomyelitis) eradication efforts.
Local Rotarian Stephen Pellizzari notes that since June 2012, almost $8 million has been raised between Rotary Canada, Ottawa's contributions and donations by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Last summer, the federal government had initially agreed to provide matching funds up to $1 million if Rotary members across the country could raise that amount by March 1, 2013, Pellizzari explains.
However, he notes when Rotarian fundraisers across Canada surpassed that amount to reach $1.5 million by mid-February, government lifted its contribution cap.
The BMGF was on board and had also pledged to match these grants, Pellizzari says, adding it also agreed to remove its limits when Rotary had exceeded $1 million.
“Then there was another challenge went out to Rotarians - to see if we could double the original target. In the end, the response in the final week was incredible.”
By the end of March, Rotarians had raised $2.27 million, which was then tripled by the government and foundation donations, he adds.
“There was a total of about $6.8 million contributed.”
Working toward the eradication of polio continues to be one of Rotary International's (RI) primary goals Pellizzari notes.
Along with the many services and supports the local Rotary club provides to the community, it also helps support RI, he says, including its ongoing polio campaign.
Local Rotary members contribute to the global cause through a portion of the membership fees, individual donations to RI and, sometimes, from its smaller club events earmarking the money for polio research.
“We went from 350,000 polio cases in 1998 to about 223 cases reported worldwide last year. So we're 99.9 per cent there.”
Pellizzari explains polio primarily strikes children under the age of five, and for those who survive the crippling and fatal disease, it becomes a lifetime ailment.
All that is required to wipe out the disease is global vaccinations, he explains.
“The efforts are ongoing and Rotary will not rest until polio gets eradicated.”