NEEDHAM ROTARY NEWSLETTER 9-30-14
THIS IS A BIG WEEK IN NEEDHAM as the Needham Rotary Club continues the delivery of 456 new dictionaries; one to each 3rd grade student at each of five Needham elementary schools. The latest school receiving free dictionaries was Hillside Elementary, and Rotarians Roz Fisher, Erica Bond and Bill Paulson had fun delivering the goods to the kids!
CLUB NEWS:
1. Be sure to put October 22nd down on your social calendar! It's the Needham Rotary Pizza and Bowling Party at Needham Bowlaway from 6-8 pm. You get to mingle and socialize with fellow Needham Rotarians guests, spouses and special friends for only $15. RSVP to Charles or any social commmittee member by the week of October 7th so we know how many lanes to reserve.
2. ANDY SHERRY, Branch Manager of Middlesex Savings Bank, has applied for membership in the club. His application is being reviewed and processed this week.
3. The Events Committee met last week following the weekly luncheon. Chairman Charles Nelson asked everyone to set aside the following dates:
Saturday, November 1st: Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 25th: Needham-Wellesley Football Dinner (hosted by Needham Rotary)
Thursday, November 27th: Annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner (with setup on Wed, Nov 26th at 5pm)
4. Finally, remember that October 24th is "END POLIO DAY." Consider making a personal donation to Rotary International to end polio.
To listen to news about Rotary's END POLIO focus, go to: http://new.livestream.com/rotaryinternational/worldpolioday
HAVE YOU HEARD THIS NEWS FROM THE FIGHT TO END POLIO?
Rotary began fighting polio nearly 30 years ago, and although our work has reduced the number of cases of the disease by 99 percent worldwide, new outbreaks and dangerous conditions make the total eradication of polio a constant challenge.
For example, in Côte d'Ivoire it's been over two years since the disease last surfaced. But with polio-endemic in nearby Nigeria, the possibility of a fresh outbreak looms over the country. The only way to keep the poliovirus at bay is to continue administering regular immunizations to all children under the age of five.
During National Immunization Days last year, 7.5 million children in Côte d'lvoire received two drops of oral polio vaccine, along with vitamin A supplements and de-worming tablets.
This accomplishment is underscored by our volunteers' willingness to put their lives at risk. Just last year, 20 polio vaccinators were killed in Pakistan.
"Polio eradication is not an option, it's an obligation," says Richmond-Ahoua, chair of Rotary's PolioPlus Committee in Côte d'lvoire. "When you consider what's been done in Côte d'lvoire, despite the many obstacles we've faced, you are deeply convinced that polio will soon be eradicated."