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Middletown Rotary continues ‘End Polio Worldwide’ efforts
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Rotary International has been instrumental in collective efforts around the world to put an end to the dreaded disease that once crippled 35,000 children a year, in the US alone. The Rotary Club of Middletown has long been active in raising funds toward that end.
That goal is in sight: The United State has experienced no active polio cases since 1979 and there have been none in the western hemisphere in 1991.
Although a minimal 75 cases were recorded the spread of polio continues in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.
The live virus has been reintroduced in Chad and Republic of the Congo, proving that the disease could gain a foothold again if not totally eradicated.
Next Sunday, Oct. 1, proceeds of a pasta feed at Middletown Mansion, offered by local Rotarians, will go toward fighting polio.
The feed begins at 4 p.m. at 20650 Highway 29 less than a mile north of Middletown.
The fight against polio is but one of the commendable efforts of local Rotarians. Among others, Middletown members have for many years traveled to small towns in Jalisco, Mexico, where their personal labor results in considerable improvement to essential infrastructure in those communities.
Efforts by individual Rotarians also are noteworthy.
In August, Rotarian Monica Rosenthal participated in a six-day Pedal 4 Polio bike ride and garnered an appreciable amount of donations from south Lake County residents for the local chapter to send to the anti-polio effort.
In November, local runner Brien Crothers will join the fight against polio with his entry in the famed six-day Marathon des Sables, which this year will stretch for 155 miles across the scorching sands of the Ica Desert, Peru.
When the goal is so close, at a time when we all live among people and products transported from every corner of the world, putting an end to polio is unquestionably a worthy cause.
You can help, without making all that much of a commitment. Simply enjoy a fun evening with good food, good music and good companionship.
Tickets to the pasta feed can be purchased, for $20 each, at www.middletowncarotary.org, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling Kathey at 707-355-0393.