Despite the cold damp weather today some 50 people came out to support the first ever Polio Run/Walk held in Orillia, which raised close to $2000 this afternoon.
Rotary and Rotary International are working hard to eliminate Polio entirely from the world.
Event Organizer Kevin Vennard says they choose a run/walk event to symbolize the debilitating effects of Polio.
An international group called Polio Plus, which is a division of Rotary International, was challenged by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation to raise 200 million dollars US by the summer of 2012, if they reach that goal the Gates Foundation has committed an additional 355 million dollars US to the cause.
Vennard reports that so far 163 million dollars US has been raised around the world, and they still have a year to go.
With Polio only effecting 6 countries in the world now, hopes are high that the disease will be eliminated within the next five years.
If you would like to make an online donation visit www.trfcanada.org or contact our local Rotary Club.
Vennard thanks all of his great community supporters, including Sunshine 89.1 for helping make their first event a success.
