Update #3
11 days ago

Miss Vicky’s on the move again for PolioPlus! Snow tires, a mountain or two and off to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!DG Dave’s surprise KeyNote speaker at his District Conference was none other than Ramesh Ferris, now District Governor of 5370. Ramesh’s presence and his story of polio survival was nothing short of spectacular. Following his address, Dave presented a check for $50,000.00 from the Miss Vicky PolioPlus campaign. Using a new “challenge/match” fundraising paradigm, by the time of the Calgary International Convention, that check had increased to just over $109,000. Winston Conyers, Polio Champion from White Rock Rotary, then drove Miss Vicky to Calgary to make the ceremonial check presentation at the Pancakes for Polio event. From that experience was hatched a plan to capitalize on Miss Vicky’s notoriety by expanding the effort to Ramesh's District 5370. With an ambitious $100,000.00 as the new goal, when the efforts of both districts achieve the $100,000 dollar match, the combined effort would garner a whopping $200,000.00… to be matched by the Gates Foundation 2:1 or… $600,000.00 to TRF/PolioPlus!The project is well underway. Additional “challengers” are being sought to add to the $50,000 “treasure chest” already on board the 1931 Model A Ford Victoria. A route to Edmonton has been plotted and members of District 5370 are readying themselves for programs, fireside visits and accommodations for all three visitors: Winston, Lee and Miss Vicky. They will depart October 19th, following Winston’s annual Luncheon for PolioPlus in White Rock, B.C.. The route will once again be daunting for the 94 year old vehicle, which has already nearly circled the globe in its effort to promote awareness and fundraising for Rotary’s 41 year signature project, PolioPlus. With 13 clubs in Edmonton, there will be plenty of opportunity to spread the Miss Vicky story before its Grand Finale on World Polio Day: Glendora Rotary’s High Level Bridge project “Light It Up Purple!"While Winston and Lee fly home to continue their work in district 5050, Miss Vicky will remain in Edmonton to be “campaigned” by District 5370 PolioPlus Champions in further fundraising activities. Winston, Lee and Miss Vicky will reunite in the Spring with plans to present a ceremonial check to DG Isabelle at her District Conference, May 1-3, in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia. Miss Vicky will then trek northward to repeat the presentation for DG Ramesh’s conference in Whitehorse, the Yukon Territory, May 15-17, 2026. That’s quite a challenge and effort for Miss Vicky and members of both Rotary Districts. "Why do it," you ask? Simple: To prove once again that difficult things are achievable… even once and for all, ridding the world of polio!

Older updates
Why I am fundraising for The Rotary Foundation
Why I am fundraising for The Rotary Foundation
For only the second time in world history, a dread disease is being eradicated. Since 1984, Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign has led the charge, eliminating 99.9% of wild polio virus. From 350,000 cases and 50,000 deaths per year in 1984, we were down to just 12 cases in all of 2023. In the Spring of 2024, the Taliban stopped door-to-door vaccinations and the number of cases rose to 99 in the two remaining endemic nations of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The sudden jump demonstrates just how persistent and virulent is the wild polio virus. Like the EverReady Bunny, we must "keep on keeping on” lest polio returns and unvaccinated people are again needlessly at risk of paralysis and death. We’re indeed “This Close” but ever so far. To the unvaccinated, polio is just a plane ride away. Courage, Commitment and Cash will stem the tide. Thank you for your past generosity and your continued support by giving to Rotary’s signature program, PolioPlus.

Polio Fund

Your donation helps Rotary reach every child with the polio vaccine.

Learn more

19 donations received

Hidden
Susan Cesco
“Looking forward to seeing you in Jasper on Oct 20-21. Scenic and fun travels ahead!”
2 days ago
CAD 155.25
Cathleen Brand
2 days ago
CAD 103.50
Despina Nicolas-Brook
4 days ago
CAD 500
Lanette Van Winssen
5 days ago
CAD 155.25
Ron Brown
7 days ago
CAD 155.25
Judy Brown
7 days ago
Invite link copied to clipboard