WAYNESBORO– The Rotary Club of Waynesboro is set to host a significant event in the global fight against polio. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m., the internationally recognized End Polio Now Torch will arrive at Main Street Park, symbolizing Rotary International’s ongoing commitment to eradicating polio worldwide.
The Waynesboro club has been a leading force in local district fundraising efforts for Polio Plus, Rotary’s global program aimed at eliminating the disease. For the past six years, the club has spearheaded initiatives to support this cause, Rotary club members said.
For a suggested donation of $10, attendees can have their photo taken with the torch, contributing directly to the fight against polio.
Since Rotary launched its PolioPlus program in 1985, remarkable progress has been made, Rotarians noted. The number of polio cases has dropped by 99 percent since 1988, when 350,000 cases were reported. In 2024, only 74 cases have been reported, confined to just eight countries.
The funds raised during this event will support Rotary’s efforts to reach children in some of the world’s most remote and challenging areas. To date, Rotary and its partners have helped vaccinate more than 3 billion children worldwide.
This event not only highlights the Waynesboro Rotary Club’s dedication to global health but also provides local citizens with an opportunity to contribute to a cause that has the potential to change the course of history. Club members invite all community members to join them in this final push to make polio a disease of the past.
