I was so honored to be able to represent Kearney Dawn Rotary and District 5630 at the “Come Home Zone” in Evanston, IL Oct. 18-22 at Rotary International Headquarters. Most Rotarians never have the opportunity to visit “Rotary One”, and this was my second visit.
While making the long commute, 9 hours, I learned of a fundraising opportunity for World Polio Day. DGN Lorena Beckius (2025-26, Ogallala) sent me an invitation to make a $25 contribution and join other Rotarians on Saturday morning to walk to Lake Michigan at Sunrise. I was in! But then I thought, what about inviting my fellow club members to join me “virtually.”
So, while driving I crafted a quick email blast making the invitation. I promised that anyone willing to join by making a contribution of any amount, I would reward them with 100 Paul Harris points. I had 13 of my fellow clubmates boost our club total to $450!
That in itself was awesome, but with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation match, this meant the Kearney Dawn Rotary Club was in for $1,350! Other District Rotarians added a total of $695, and with the Gates Foundation Match the new total was $3,435! How cool was that. The total raised for the event was $5,017 with the Gates Foundation match that brings the grand total to $15,051!
Why we are fundraising for The Rotary Foundation
Join us at 7 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 for a Zone 25B & 29 fundraiser to help in the effort to End Polio. This fun walk / run will have 1 and 2 mile options and participants may leave from and return to either the Hilton Garden Inn or Holiday Inn in Evanston.
Register through “Raise for Rotary” to make your own donation and to ask friends and family to donate. The registration / donation of $25 included a “Pounding the Pavement 4 Polio” t-shirt for the first 100 participants.
If you are unable to join us on Saturday morning, you can walk or run when you are able to get the opportunity. Just register for $25 or more on the Raise for Rotary site, get your shirt and try to complete your walk and fundraising by the end of October as we focus awareness on World Polio Day on October 24.
The walk will go East to the beautiful Lake Michigan with time to return, get ready, and have breakfast before starting Zone Institute sessions at Rotary One.