Many, Many thanks to all who have contributed to Miss Vicky's success. Just passing $46,000 USD is very exciting. As for our beloved '31 Model A Ford Victoria, she's just arrived in Los Angeles after luxuriating for 10 weeks in transit on the high seas: Cabo, Ensenada, Panama (of all places) and on to LA. via container ship. I'll pick the 'ol gal up Wednesday morning to complete the journey northward back to Camano Island - thus completing the 2023 A2M odyssey. Haven't decided the route, which depends on weather and terrain. She's "wounded but capable" to make the journey but the last 996 miles will be yet another adventure for sure! Wish both of us luck!
Day 30, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. WE MADE IT! It wasn't easy; the heat and mountains all the way down Baja did their best to do us in. But... WE MADE IT! 7,600 miles and nearly $37,000 to PolioPlus. We've decided to ship the car back to L.A., sparing us four days of night driving on (cooler) mountain roads with lots of critters to avoid: javelina, cows, horses, sheep and goats. So many wonderful folks met on this journey and fond memories made. Especially proud of the response to and support of Rotary's PolioPlus campaign. Thanks to all who have supported the cause. As Dr. Robert Scott has said and hoped: "....a short three years from now polio will be remembered '... only in the history books...'" History will have been made and you will have been a part of the conquest. The children of the world thank you.
Day 29, La Paz, Mexico. Very hot day to 42c (107F) at 11:00 a.m. and even hotter later in the day.
Vicky called for big thirsty drinks half a dozen times as we also traveled up and over steep grades along the way. Visited San Francisco Javier, a very unique church dating from 1699. La Paz and a cool one for the us was very welcome! Thanks to all for your encouragement and support all the way from Anchorage. Rotary PolioPlus thanks you as well - almost to $50,000. See you in Cabo San Lucas!
Day 28, Loreto, Mexico! What a day. Didn't realize that Baja California had mountains and how steep they were. 15% grades on a couple of slopes, really tested the Vicky and makes us question the decision to head north from Cabo San Lucas for the return trip. We'll see. The recent hurricane rains have caused the entire peninsula to be lush green, even the grasses covering the mountains are green. Very special, if not unusual. Very hot. The Ford is unhappy about that but we keep 'er topped up with oil and water and so far, all is well. Slow but sure is our plan. Kind regard and thanks to all who have contributed to our success along the way.
Day 27, Guerrero Negro, Mexico. Beautiful but hot day with azure blue Gulf of Mexico vistas and plentiful cactus forests. The desert is lush and all green after all the recent rain. Quite stunning from its usual dry, drab brown. Needing undercar lubrication, found a very helpful family owned business with a lift. Their ten year old told us he was teaching other family members English! Daughters found Miss Vicky on social media and we became instant celebrities. Off for Loreto, MX, next. Push that Blue Button to donate to PolioPlus! ...and thanks.
Day 26, San Felipe, Mexico. Figuring we needed to head south toward Cabo San Lucas, we didn't realize that last night's hotel was on the east side of the Gulf of California. Thought we were caught in the Twilight Zone as our GPS kept reading that we were heading north and northwest with water to our west and mountains beyond, definitely not the Pacific. Anyway, a proper (paper) map re-oriented us as we finally started heading south from Mexicali to the beach city of San Felipe, now on the west side of the Gulf of California. Beautiful white sand beaches . Ford running fine, but hot. Top up oil and anti-freeze at every stop. Removed the louvered side panels from the hood to maximize airflow and heat dissipation. Not much more we can do to maximize the effort to get to the finish line. Again, very gratified by the generous donations to PolioPlus, often from interested folks we've met along the way. Kind regards and thanks for pushing that blue button!
Day 25: Puerto Penasco. Hot day, dusty and two hour border crossing came to us today. People friendly and hotel Penasco del Sol, right on the sea. Magnificent sunset and lovely dinner on the beach. The end is in sight (4 days) but way to early to cheer. Thanks again to all who have contributed to the success of our PolioPlus fundraiser. Donate Now at the blue donate button!
THANKS TO ALL, who have so generously contributed to Rotary's PolioPlus cause. We're driving our Miss Vicky to Mexico to prove difficult things are possible... even eradicating the poliovirus from the world!
Several rally folks from around the world have enquired as to HOW TO USE CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS or personal checks for PolioPlus. True to form, Rotary International has been asked this before. I have received a single page contribution form and a note from Rotary as to where to send the form or personal check. As noted in the letter from Rotary, this insures that tax requirements for all countries are met and currency conversions are appropriately made. If you prefer to send a personal check direct to PolioPlus, kindly reference the Miss Vicky Challenge and ID 3036. I'll have the contribution forms and letter from Rotary with me in the Vicky, Rally 5.
Day 22, Flagstaff, AZ. Up and out early with some "casual" off-road, that unfortunately claimed one of the fast movers missing a turn and ending up in a ditch requiring two tow trucks for removal. No injuries, except to pride. The Vicky motored on until an afternoon change of route would have us waiting over an hour for our start time. Having climbed to 9,000+ feet before lunch, we opted to head on public roads to Flagstaff, another climb from 3,500 to 7,600. Our overheated Vicky was happy to finally arrive at the hotel for some much needed maintenance.
Such is life in a Model A. Slow and steady to Cabo! Please donate to PolioPlus, upper-right blue button! And thanks!
Day 21: Springdale, Utah: Zion National Park. What a dandy day. With competitive racing on desert paths in store, we convinced the organizers to let the Vicky leave last. That way, we didn't impede progress of the "Fast Movers" and we didn't have to watch for overtaking headlights while also looking for a safe spot to give way. Just another day in a Model A!
Thus the day was quite pleasant, though at 500+km, long! The icing on the cake was arriving at Zion National Park, traveling from the east entrance to our overnight in Springdale. Simply stunning and majestic formations to enjoy. Impossible to describe; put Zion on your "must see" list. Help rid the world of polio by clicking the blue donate button to the right! Thanks
Day 20: Moab to Bluff, Utah. Toughest day of rally, so far. First a potentially game-ending broken front motor mount with welding out of the question due to location of the fracture and fire hazard. Steve conjures a through-bolt solution, drilling and bolting straight to the frame. Brilliant. Finding an off-duty mechanic on a Saturday in Moab becomes the issue. Steve's good karma pays off and we find 19 y/o "River" (his actual given name!) moonlighting at an off-road 4x4 shop. Shortly thereafter, a 41/2 inch grade 8 nut and bolt are in place and we're "on the road again!" Catch the group at Needles Overlook, where , again, so impressively beautiful that words can't describe. The following regularity (timed run) proved the most challenging driving I've ever experienced in our '31 Vicky. The course contained multiple hairpin, uphill, washboard sections that were quite "sporty." Not sure who was flogged more: Miss Vicky or me! An overheated and thirsty MV took on just less than a gallon of that "clear, clean, water." THANKS TO EVERYONE for generously supporting our goal of raising $50 k by end of the rally. We're driving the Vicky to Cabo San Lucas to prove difficult things are achievable, EVEN ERADICATING POLIO forever from the world. Thanks again.
Day 19, Moab, Utah, "rest" day... standard maintenance today with oil change, lube and switch out a balding tire with one from the side-mount spares. All well until a late afternoon inspection revealed a potential game-ending broken front motor mount. Now conjuring a fix but will need pro help and some serious machining help so we'll be an extra day in Moab, while the tribe moves forward. That said, we did an afternoon trip to Dead Horse Point State Park, a dramatic overlook of the canyon lands for about 300 degrees northeast to the west. Few photos do it justice. Dinner at Red Cliff Lodge 16 miles east. Stunning. period... and a fine dinner to boot. Thanks in advance for donating to PolioPlus!
As the photo shows, it was quite a day. A mere navigator suggestion to turn left NOW led the pilot…me… to stick Miss Vicky in the remains of a recent desert rain storm. Pushed, pulled, gnashed teeth but stuck we were. Along comes a young Rancher Dude, pulling a horse trailer with saddled horses, no less and out of the muck we were! Then off toward Moab again. Simply beautiful red sand stone monuments with ancient petroglyphs along the way.
Maintenance day tomorrow was preceded by removing about 100 pounds of sticky red mud from the car this evening. What a day and adventure so far. We're driving Miss Vicky to Mexico to prove that difficult things are achievable, even eradicating polio from the world! Thanks to all who have already donated to Rotary's PolioPlus program.
Day 17, To PARK CITY, UTAH. Surprisingly, no new mechanical challenges for Miss Vicky today.
Smooth sailing except for the physical challenges of off road travel with washboard, uphill, very hard on men and machinery. Met folks at dinner from York, England, campaigning the actual Escort Ford that was a world champion ride some 40 years ago. What a story they have and high placement in the scoring department as well. Rallying in Europe is a big sport with lots of shorter, manageable treks to hone driving skills and the rules over a weekend. We're running about 18th... from the bottom...(!), by slowly gaining spots with attrition, our best friend. We're "keeping on, keeping on!" Donate by touching that blue button to help Rotary rid the world of polio.
Day 16, Twin Falls, a new challenge! Discovered a loose fan belt. Found the culprit: a broken bolt holding the alternator to the engine. A real problem - possibly a "game ender"- since the broken bolt left part of itself inside the motor case.. No way for the fixers to repair, we needed a Real Mechanic by the name of Spencer Ellsworth of Ellsworth Automotive, Twin Falls, Idaho. Unannounced and on his doorstep at 08:00, he invited us in, took one look and got to work. Amazing skill set required to remove the embedded stud from the block in very tight spaces. Hour and a half later, we're "On the Road Again!" Thanks Spencer and supporting staff: a job very well done! We caught up with the group in Jackson Hole, traveling again through some very beautiful countryside. Teton Pass was nearly 9000 feet and Miss Vicky chugged steadily upward without complaint. A wonderful day. Donate by pressing that blue button on left side of page! Be a part of history as we eradicate polio forever from the world!
Very difficult days lately so we're now in Boise, Idaho, and it's day 15. Bidding Co-Driver Winston a sad goodby, Steve Krippaehne from Camano Island, joined Team Miss Vicky. Our "rest" day in Walla Walla (day #13) was any thing but, finding a major issue to repair. An engine mounting bolt again loosened and was trying to back out. Loose or falling out as it was in Osoyoos, engine oil can (and did) pour out jeopardizing the engine and the entire trip. Fixed with help of Rick Gilmour, MV's chief mechanic, we and the sweeps, removed, cleaned and JB welded it back into place. Drilling a hole through the bolt head, it was then secured with a safety wire and Miss Vicky is again running tight as a tick. Next day, #14, we drove hard into the American Wild West with spectacular views of Northeast Oregon and Southwest Idaho. Hot, dry and dusty gravel roads led to the great reward of the Hell's Canyon Overlook with the Snake River, below. Quite an amazing day, ending at 7:00 pm Boise time.
Thanks to all who have already donated. Be a part of history by clicking that Blue Button!
Day 11, Osoyoos to Walla Walla, Washington. Very long day with tests and regularities through very lovely "We're in the Wild West" scenery. Great lunch saved the day! Vicky suffered loss of her right headlight during a long, up hill washboard section, breaking the lens. A one-eyed Ford Victoria. Into Walla Walla, joined the parade of cars celebrating a weekend of cars on display and on the roll. Rick Gilmour led us in his 1914 Model T, decked out in flags and Alaska-to-Mexico signage. Then to Rotary Fireside, meeting New Zealand Rotarians on a group exchange. Saying hi to Steve Krippaehne as Co-Driver as Winston heads back to home in White Rock, BC. Steve will have a real challenge measuring up to Winston's prowess behind the wheel!
Day 10. Tasty lunch at Lone Point Cellars from their very scenic "now we're in the Wild West" terrace. Amazing off road test into Leavenworth: one-lane trail up and over a mountain pass. Shear drop off on navigator's side and mountain cut on the other. Imagine the surprise of two motorcycle riders heading into the mob of rally cars plying the trail. All made it safely. Rally group met by PDG Karl Ruether, who at 5:00 pm closing time, cajoled his local mechanic's shop to "host" the Vicky on their lift for a quick and much needed oil and lube job! Thanks, Icicle Valley Automotive. On the home front, Co-Driver Winston drives his last day into Walla Walla where Co-Driver Steve Krippaehne picks up the reins for the rest of the rally. Thanks Winston for a job very well done and a very special thanks to wife Karen for running the realty business and a Sotheby's sponsored golf tournament in his absence.
The Rotary Club of Dawson Creek organized a BBQ for the rally crews and PolioPlus. Money was raised, and a good time was had. We want to express our gratitude to Fred Fedemma, Club President, for organizing this event.
Day 9. Osoyoos, BC, wine country, track racing and a most beautiful countryside topped today's trek. Stunning scenery all along the route. The Vicky developed quite an oil leak because a major engine mounting bolt had loosened and fallen out! Sweep mechanics found the bolt lying in the cross-frame member! Working in the parking lot, the fix was in as a gentle evening rain started to fall.. All fixed; ready to roll. Donate by pressing the blue buttom! And Thanks.
Day 8. Wow, what a day! Quesnel, British Columbia, found us at a track day, where Winston excelled!
The Rotary Club, the Mayor of Quesnel and local Car Club organized a stop at the Gold Pan, with colorful RCMPs greeting the crews. Then on to meeting District Governor 5040 Shirley-Pat Chamberlain at the Quesnel Rotary Club. President Marg Anderson started the meeting with an enthusiastic Star Spangled Banner for me, the only American in the room. PolioPlus successes discussed and new pledges promised! Donate by pressing the blue button and thank you!
Day Seven: Clubs of Dawson Creek invite the entire group for a picnic lunch at Mile Zero Pioneer Park. Mile Zero is the beginning of the Alcan (Alaskan) Highway. Historic buildings from very early Dawson Creek were brought together for pre
servation and commemoration. Local car clubs participated as did the town folk. Probably 100 attended the celebration to PolioPlus, Rotary's 38 year signature program to END POLIO NOW, worldwide. Be a part of history by touching the donate button to the right. Thanks
Day 6: Entering Beautiful British Columbia, smoke shrouds the incredible mountain tops. Rally staff concerned that we may be deviating to avoid the BC fires as we head southward.
Dawson Creek Sunrise Rotary Club President, Fred Feddema, and his club have organized a picnic for all 57 crews at Mile Zero Rotary Park. The public has also been invited to view the rally cars from around the world while celebrating the near eradication of polio by Rotary 38 year signature project, PolioPlus. Consider donating by pushing the donate button on this page!
Cockpit Video: https://youtu.be/Ws0JmHfx5Vo
Hello from smokey Day 6 Fort Nelson, BC. Spectacular scenery. Great rally day and stunning performances on the speed tests by Co-Driver, Winston. Actually made the rally check-in points in time. Planning Dawson Creek tomorrow, where local Rotary Clubs are planning a big picnic at Mile Zero, Alcan (Alaska) Highway. Images to follow.
Cruising through time and terrain in this vintage beauty, we've made it to Dawson City!
Video from the cockpit: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LxWmfz6xxng
Short Day three video from cockpit of Miss Vicky. Mileage to Whitehorse: 1,284 miles.
Consider donating by pressing the that Donate Button to the right!
Video to follow shortly.
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory on Day 3. Very intense day with two very rocky but fortunately short (40 kms). Brake issue for 258 km made the journey even more "sporty." All fixed now and "on the road again!" Photo from parking lot on typical evening arrival after Vicky starts first and ... arrives last. Short video on next update.
Please see update #24 and #25 by clicking "Older Updates" below.... and consider donating to PolioPlus by touching the donate button to the right! Thanks.
Please see update #24 by clicking "Older Updates" below.... and consider donating to PolioPlus by touching the donate button to the right! Thanks.
Hi everyone. Very sorry to have missed opportunities to update the MV website. Basically, after day two, we traveled nearly a thousand miles in a 92 y/o wonderful car that does 60 mph, best. That said, she's a reliable machine and soldiers on mightily up hill and down dale.
Highlights: 1. Anchorage Rotary advised CBS channel 2, which produced a wonderful piece, to follow. 2. Fairbanks newspaper, "Daily News Miner," produced a great piece, front page and above the fold about the journey and PolioPlus, also to follow. 3. In Fairbanks, visited Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum - absolutely the best collection of cars (American Pre-WWII classics) I've ever seen and I've seen plenty. Photos to follow; each auto shown with a lady manikin dressed in exquisite period clothing from the Art Decco period. 4. Motored to Chicken, Alaska, across the Top of the World Highway. Simply stunning, photos to follow. 5. Now in historic Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Robert Service and Jack London territory. So, thanks to all for supporting the PolioPlus cause at https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge.
Be sure and click "past updates" for the full story.
In a pelting Anchorage rain, Co-Driver Winston arrives! Winston Conyers, 22 year Rotarian and PolioPlus warrior; arrives, receives his keys and drives Miss Vicky for his first ever Model A Ford experience. A quick a study, the Vicky's six forward gears were no match for his driving skill! The real challenge for Winston was the short notice to carve three weeks from his busy Sotheby's International Realty, Canada, practice. Thanks to Karen, his business partner and spouse, for taking up the reins to propel the business forward in Winston's absence. Help defeat polio by donating at:
https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge.
Anchorage: Antique Auto "Mushers" to the rescue! Let the games begin. Miss Vicky's starter motor failed shortly after leaving the ship. Push starting is easy... but a functioning starter is a lot more convenient! Called on the local old car network and in short order, a new starter setup was installed and we're "on the road again!" To thank the group (at a local pub), I was able to share with about 20 "Mushers" the powerpoint of Miss Vicky and the P2P journey of 2019. Lots of interest in the current Alaska-to-Mexico Marathon, which departs three days hence. Consider donating at: https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge
On the road to Anchorage, passing through part of Canada en route.
Beauty adjectives fall short of how pretty the ride. Plenty of time to enjoy it at 60 mph. Starter difficulties arose in Tok, AK; fixable with a short push-start... or a new starter bendix in Anchorage from the ever-present network of vintage car "gear heads" along the route.
Donate at https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge
Cruising northward along the Inside Passage, MIss Vicky and I are passing through the majesty of British Columbia and Southeastern Alaska. It’s a time to momentarily decompress from the rigors of preparing for this 7,600 mile endurance marathon.
In the quest to promote donating to Rotary’s Signature project, PolioPlus, folks have asked me “What’s Rotary?” and “Why are you doing this?”
To Wit:
Rotary is a service organization that raises money for what our Rotary District 5050 calls “do-good-ery.” Giving for the sake of giving. Funds are raised then husbanded to seven major “areas of focus,” one of which is PolioPlus. The seven areas of focus include: Maternal and Child Health; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Community and Economic Development; Basic Education and Literacy; Peace Building and Conflict Resolution; Supporting the Environment; Disease Prevention and Treatment. Whatever a Rotarian’s passion, there exists in the world of Rotary an avenue to contribute. Sometimes that is raising or giving money, other times it involves active, personal participation in a local, national or world project. Rotary has prospered 118 years under the simple banner “Service Above Self.” Rotary’s vitality remains because it’s structure fosters leadership, strategic planning and willingness to adapt to the needs of an every changing world.
Be a part of world history by contributing to PolioPlus at:
Https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge.
Well, we’re off to Alaska via the Alaska Marine Ferry. Three nights to Haines, Alaska; then 556 miles to Anchorage with an overnight en route in Tok, AK.
An unexpected last minute change finds friend and fellow Rotarian Winston Conyers stepping up to co-drive Miss Vicky from the start. Through Dawson Creek and on to Walla Walla, where fellow car enthusiast, Steve Krippaehne, takes the reins with me on to Cabo San Lucas. The intriguing (fun?) part is that neither Winston nor Steve have much (or any) Model A Ford driving experience! What an adventure this is going to be.
Thanks to all for your continued support and well wishes. We’re closing in
on $35,000, with $50k a reachable PolioPlus goal. Let’s do this!
Well, we’re off to Alaska via the Alaska Marine Ferry. Three nights to Haines, Alaska; then 556 miles to Anchorage with an overnight en route in Tok, AK.
An unexpected last minute change finds friend and fellow Rotarian Winston Conyers stepping up to co-drive Miss Vicky from the start. Through Dawson Creek and on to Walla Walla, where fellow car enthusiast, Steve Krippaehne, takes the reins with me on to Cabo San Lucas. The intriguing (fun?) part is that neither Winston nor Steve have much (or any) Model A Ford driving experience! What an adventure this is going to be.
Thanks to all for your continued support and well wishes. We’re closing in
on $35,000, with $50k a reachable PolioPlus goal. Let’s do this!
We're 13 days before heading to Anchorage. Miss Vicky is raring to go!
As co-drivers, we're learning the ins and outs of TSD Rallying (Time, Speed, Distance). An extra challenge but it will be fun to be more competitive that P2P. At least we'll know the rules...
Three very successful events this week: Miss Vicky driving the Rotary Wheel in the Lake City SeaFair Parade for Northeast Seattle Rotary and two club presentations yesterday in Bellingham and LaConner.
Closing in on $35,000 donated to date. Looking for $50k prior to starting the event, then "shifting gears" toward a new goal of $100,000. We can do it! Thanks to all, Lee
Thanks to ALL who have graciously contributed to PolioPlus through our Miss Vicky Challenge project. Leaving 18 August via the Alaska Marine Highway "ride" to Anchorage: three nights aboard ship, overland travel via beautiful TOK, Alaska; arriving Anchorage the 21st.
Plenty of time to do the 1000 mile maintenance AND visit all Anchorage Rotary Clubs for "make ups!"
Below: image of applying new co-drivers info on Miss Vicky!
New dancing shoes for the 'ol gal... Just can't trust used tires on a trip like this. Also inspected, inventoried and added to all spares, placing them into bins for access as needed. Under catagory "Lessons Learned," added two specialty tools based on NOT having them for the P2P. Driving regularly, looking for faults overlooked. None so far. Weighed car at 3, 660 #. Anxious to head toward Anchorage, 18 August via Alaska Marine Highway. 3 nights aboard ferry to Haines, AK; then 506 road miles via Tok, to Anchorage.
Alaska-to-Mexico Marathon! 7,600 miles is a long way in a 92 year old vehicle. Major maintenance included checking and re-packing all wheel bearings. All fluids changed. Right (drive) hub and bearings replaced ( that was a big deal). Air conditioner (yes... we have one) re-charged and blowing cold.
June 25th: While promoting the Miss Vicky Challenger for PolioPlus, Miss Vicky wins award at Idler's Car Show! Prior to show, extensive maintenance underway and completed.
If polio ever affected your family during the dreaded 1950 - 60's, donate by clicking the donate button, attached. Every penny goes directly to PolioPlus. Thanks.
Dear All: below is the current itinerary for the Alaska-to-Mexico Marathon. As noted, it lists dates of arrival and destinations for the overnight stays. For a really interesting and unique experience, arrive about mid-day and watch the 75 rally cars arrive in various states of
(dis-) repair. Meet the crews and watch them prepare their vehicles for the next day's route challenges. Like, share and donate at:
https://raise.rotary.org/MissVicky/Challenge. Thanks!
Rotarian Winston Conyers tries Miss Vicky for "fit and finish..." mostly fit! Winston is from the White Rock Club and is 1st alternate Co-Driver for the event. He and his team are also publicizing the event to the Canadian Rotary clubs Miss Vicky will be visiting. More info at Y Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9KYDQ-suXk
Podcast: imarotarian.buzzsprout.com
District Governor Elect David Lukov "test drives" (well, almost) Miss Vicky during a very successful District Assembly in Surrey, BC, yesterday. Joan Toone and husband, Terry, moved many to tears sharing Joan's polio experience - struck as a 7 year old youngster - to the present. Thanks to all who recently donated; please join them by sharing, liking and pushing that donate button!
Sharing the new banner promotion piece for display at Rotary and public functions. Thanks to all for your continuing support and encouragement. Indeed... Help Rotary Finish Eradicating Polio !
You may not know...
Rotary's signature program, now called PolioPlus, began 38 years ago in 1984. The photo below shows how far we've come to eradicating polio worldwide, namely 125 endemic nations in 1984 to JUST TWO nations in 2023: Pakistan and Afghanistan. From 350,000 paralyzed kids in 1984 to just 22 last year and ZERO (0) 2023 year-to-date.
Thanks for following. Please SHARE this site and thanks in advance for donating. We're "this close" to finishing!
Very pleased with progress toward our goal! Thanks to all. Please like and share with your networking friends. All donations go directly to PolioPlus to help protect the children of the world from crippling polio once and for all. Follow on Facebook at Miss Vicky Rides to End Polio or Instagram @MissVicky4polioplus.
Boy Howdy! Making progress with a revised Miss Vicky for PolioPlus program and a promotional piece (below) for sharing on your social media networks. Thanks to all for the encouragement you've shown. Carry on!
Am I impressed! Over $1200 dollars in less than a month and we've not officially "gone public" with our networking program using the Raise.Rotary.Org platform. Thanks to all.
Photo below: Miss Vicky "resting" after a hard day's P2P drive.
What an honor it is for the first contribution to the Miss Vicky Challenge for PolioPlus to come from Dr. Robert Scott. Past Rotary International Vice President, Dr. Scott has been instrumental in the fight to rid the world of polio since Rotary began its quest in 1984. At that time, the world experienced over 350,000 cases of paralytic polio and over 50,000 deaths annually due to this dreadful disease. Then present in 125 nations, Dr. Bob’s dedicated leadership and perseverance, helped Rotary eliminate the wild polio virus to just two remaining nations and only 30 paralytic cases in 2022.. Help us complete Rotary's mission and Dr. Scott’s dream of rendering polio "but a footnote in the history books of the world.” Contribute today!
Our "Miss Vicky" will again be joining Rally the Globe for its 12,000 km (~7,500 mile) Alaska to Mexico Endurance Road Rally. Building on her success in the Peking to Paris rally of 2019, Miss Vicky, an 82 year old Model A Ford, will "go the distance" to prove that difficulty things are possible - even ridding the world of the polio virus. Join us for the event and help make history by contributing to the cause. Every penny raised goes directly to Rotary's PolioPlus program. A single penny per mile ($75.00 USD) is matched 2:1 by Gates Foundation. Help Rotary meet its $50 million dollar annual pledge to eliminate polio forever.
Be a big part of history by donating to the Miss Vicky for PolioPlus project. Every nickel donated goes directly to The Rotary Foundation to help rid the world of the polio scourge.
We're almost there but until ALL wild polio virus is eradicated, the world is still at risk.
Miss Vicky camping in the Mongolian Desert during the 2019 Peking-to-Paris Endurance Motor Rally. We're told NO camping this September during the Alaska-to-Mexico 2023 Rally. Yippee!