Rotary, The Whisk to host End Polio Now event Oct. 24

Rotary members in Greencastle are taking action on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

On Monday, Oct. 24, World Polio Day, the local club is partnering with The Whisk to host the Whiskey Tasting to End Polio Now.

Seating is limited, but a few tickets remain for the event at 18 S. Jackson St., Greencastle. Tickets are $25 per person.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the tasting at 6:30 p.m. Small food plates will be available for purchase. The event will also include door prizes, a silent auction and music.

Contact any Rotary member or The Whisk for information or tickets.

When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year.

There has been great progress against the disease since then. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

And Rotary remains committed to the end.

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Rotary has committed to raising $50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 3-to-1 in 2022. With that in mind, a $25 donation becomes a $75 donation helping end polio for good.

Rotary has contributed more than $2.2 billion to ending polio since 1985, including almost $10,000 donated by the Rotary Club of Greencastle. The goal for the club in 2022 is $1,500.

Anyone who is unable to attend but would like to donate to the cause may send a check to the Greencastle Rotary Club, P.O. Box 83, Greencastle, IN 46135, or text 73256, type in “Gobin” and use the drop-down box to the Rotary End Polio Fund.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 115 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world.