The Rotary Club of Gloucester Jumps into the Atlantic for Polio Eradication

~ trixy546

Freezin’ for a Reason

polarplunge2015The Gloucester Rotary Club and Rotary District 7930 will hold its 7th annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 4, at the Cape Ann Motor Inn on Long Beach in Gloucester at 11:00 am. The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. More than 200 people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year, including Gloucester Rotary President David Slade. Last year, over 250 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $95,000.

Since 1985, Polio has become the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When Rotary International took on the battle against this disease, more than 350,000 people spanning 125 countries were impacted. Today there are three countries left where it has not been eradicated– Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians raise toward eradication efforts (up to $35 million/year until 2018). For as little as $0.60, your donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life. Please support your local Rotarians as they brave the icy waters off Gloucester to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. With a district-wide goal of raising $125,000, the district is utilizing an electronic fundraising process. Supporters are encouraged to log on to https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/polio/team/Gloucester%20Rotary and make a pledge to help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease.

For more information on how the Rotary Club of Gloucester serves the local and global community, visit http://www.gloucesterrotary.us or https://www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1568243283204206/.