Golf Ball drop for polio announced as Rotary celebrated its anniversary
To help Rotary clubs in the district meet their goals for polio eradication, District 7750 will sponsor a golf ball drop in conjunction with this year's district conference.
The winner gets a trip at Pebble Beach, near Monterey, CA.
“In addition to each club in our district engaging in various fundraising activities, we are also announcing the Rotary District 7750 End Polio Now Golf Ball Drop," said DG George Fletcher.
At 10 a.m. on April 30 at the Verdae Golf Green during our district conference in Greenville, a helicopter will drop 2,000 numbered golf balls. The first golf ball in the hole or closest to the pin will make the holder of its number the winner of a golf weekend at Pebble Beach. Other golf prizes will also be awarded to other golf ball number holders.
Numbers for each golf ball will sell for $25 each or a five-pack for $100. With all proceeds benefiting End Polio Now, this fund-raising event will be available to any Rotarian or non Rotarian who wishes to participate.
The golf ball drop was announced Feb. 23, the date of Rotary's founding.
The Rotary Foundation must raise $200 million (or $2,000 per Rotary club worldwide or $37 per Rotary member) to match a $355-million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rotary International, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Worldwide, the number of polio cases has been slashed by more than 99 percent, preventing five million cases of childhood paralysis and 250,000 deaths. The disease remains endemic in just four countries -- Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan -- although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.
“It’s the final one percent of cases that is the most difficult and expensive to prevent, which is why the current End Polio Now fundraising effort is crucial,” George said.
Come to district conference in Greenville
Most of the District Conference plans have been finalized. George promises to “Make it Memorable.” Some of the highlights include.....
Mid Year Assembly
Thanks to all of those who braved the weather to attend what I believe to be a very successful Mid Year Assembly. It had been postponed two weeks earlier because of ice and snow, and then we had another five inches of snow the night before the event. HOWEVER, for those that could not attend, Terry Weaver took video of all presentations and they are posted on the website, Go directly to these files.
District Membership Chair PDG Myles Golden
January Membership/Attendance Report (PDF).
Foundation News
Ed Duryear spoke to the Rotary Club of Aiken Sunrise about his experience in India as part of a National Immunization Day. See what the Aiken newspaper had to say.
More Foundation news.
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Doug Echols, the mayor Rock Hill, presented Rock Hill club president David Casey with a proclamation declaring Feb. 23 Rotary Polio Eradication Day in Rock Hill. Rotary clubs throughout District 7750 joined a worldwide celebration on February 23 for Rotary Polio Eradication Day marking the 105th anniversary of Rotary International and its 25-year effort to eradicate polio. Proclamations from S.C. Governor Mark Sanford and mayors from around the states encouraged all South Carolinians “to recognize the valuable contributions of Rotary International’s PolioPlus program in the prevention and eradication of this devastating disease.” Read the Rock Hill proclamation. Read the Governor’s Proclamation.
Message from the District Governor
End Polio Now campaign evident on Feb. 23
On Rotary Founders Day, February 23, Rotary lit up iconic buildings around the world with “End Polio Now.” You can see those buildings at www.rotary.org. The Governor and 14 mayors around the state issued proclamations.
Many clubs held End Polio Now programs during the last week in February. We announced a District wide golf ball drop that will be occur on April 30, immediately after the awards luncheon at the Embassy Suites. The balls will sell for $25 and the grand prize will be a trip to play Pebble Beach in Monterrey, California. Contributions will count towards Paul Harris Fellowships. Each club can use the District wide fundraiser as they see fit, but we will ask them to distribute the information to local golf shops and golf clubs, where non-Rotarians can mail in a form.
Rotary International asked DGs to raise $2000 per club. I have always thought that unfair, as it places a huge burden on small clubs and a lets the big clubs off the hook. The amount works out to be $37 per member. However, many of the small clubs have been able to achieve a goal of at least $1000, and several of the large clubs (Greenville, Clemson, Spartanburg, Aiken) have met or are working toward the goal of $37 per member.
Thanks to all for your efforts on polio. We are very close. Last year, there were only 1595 cases in the world, and most in the endemic countries of India (741), Nigeria (387). Pakistan (89) and Afghanistan (38). You can track progress from a joint partner website, www.polioeradication.org.
Warnes featured in Wall Street Journal
 Charles and Gillaine Warne continue to get international press for their work in Haiti. Zanmi Agrikol (Partners in Agriculture) have increased the amount of food production by a factor of five since the earthquake. They are trying to get 5000 acres in production. Zanmi Agrikol was the subject of a February 23rd article in the Wall Street Journal. Thanks, Charles and Gillaine, for all you are doing.
Bartending Rotarians at Greenville Evening do other things too!
If you're in the Greenville area on March 11 from 5 - 8 p.m., come by Soby's Restaurant on Main Street where the members of the Greenville Evening Rotary will be serving as bartenders. Greenville Evening Rotary will receive 20% of sales. Details.
The Greenville Evening Club recently donated $500 to Partners in Agriculture. This donation was made possible from proceeds from the 2009 Golden Career Strategies Reedy River Ken-Ducky Derby. Greenville Evening Rotary Charities Foundation is committed to supporting efforts both locally and around the world to help alleviate suffering in times of need.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Greenville Evening
Rotary Club has donated dictionaries to Robert E. Cashion Elementary School in Greenville to encourage students in their study of the English language. More.
Members of the Greenville Evening Rotary Club recently visited Oakmont West Nursing Home. More.
Eight members of the Greenville Evening Rotary Club recently assisted Habitat for Humanity with building a home in Travelers Rest, SC, dedicating a total of
28 hours towards completion of this home. More.
Literacy
March is Literacy month. District Chair Sara Mansbach is bringing national literacy expert David Boulton for a series of meetings. David runs an organization called Child of the Code, and is an expert on why children don’t achieve at an early age and a huge advocate for creating a love for reading to children before they are three.
Rotary reading project launched to raise awareness of literacy issues
Expert to speak on March 23, Literacy Day. Rotary Club of Greenville, 12-1:30pm at the Poinsett Hotel.
Public event on 3/22 from 6:30-8:00pm at the University Center auditorium.
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Come to Montreal
To experience all that Montreal has to offer, come to the International Convention there June 20-23.
Remember to register early for the best discount and get your hotel res erved as soon as possible. Here are the links for registration and housing on the RI web site and for the Host Organizing Committee web site where you can purchase event tickets. In order to register for the Convention, you’ll need to use Member Access on the RI site. If you’re not yet signed up for that, you can take care of it before you register.
Read more about the Montreal Convention.
Read about Montreal. |
