Category Archives: End Polio Now

Nigeria Nears a Polio Milestone and Rotary is There

EVANSTON, Ill. (June 10, 2019) — Rotary is giving US$100 million in grants to support the global effort to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children each year.

The funding comes as Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) address the final—and most pressing—challenges to ending poliovirus transmission, and as Nigeria approaches three years without any reported cases of wild poliovirus, bringing the Africa region closer to polio-free status.

Playing to End Polio

Orange Plaza Rotary members and friends are looking forward to a day of fun at Angel Stadium raising funds to End Polio Now. This year’s event begins at 3:00 p.m., August 26th, with the Angels taking on the Houston Astros.

WIth only 6 new cases of polio in the world this year, Rotary and its partners are “this close” to eradicating polio forever. This would mark only the second time a disease as been totally eliminated around the world.

Rotary began the effort to eradicate polio in 1985 and has since been joined by its partners: the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rotary District 5320, covering Orange County and southern Los Angeles County, began the annual Angels fundraising event in 2009. Tickets to game are purchased at a discount and sold at a premium, with the difference donated to the Rotary Foundation. The pre-game tailgate party includes live music and District-wide chili cook-off, where more than a dozen Rotary clubs compete for the “After Burner” trophy and bragging rights.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, contact Orange Plaza Rotarian Teri Snyder.

Making Friends Around the World

Orange Plaza Rotary member Kristen Davis traveled to Caborca, Mexico with a group of Rotarians to assist with polio vaccinations in the poor villages surrounding Caborca.

Kristen writes: “Rotary is not only about volunteer service in our local communities, but it’s also about giving back to those in need around the world. This weekend in Mexico has made a huge impact in Kristen’s life… it’s eye opening to see the conditions these families are in but it’s also very special to see how happy these people are and how appreciative they are to see us helping them keep their children healthy. Another special thing about trips like this is the fellowship that is created between all the Rotarians. The Caborca Rotarians opened their clubhouse with open arms to the group of Americans from California, Arizona, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas and the group from Canada. So many friendships and connections were formed this weekend all because of our common interest in making this world a better place!”

Cruise-In to End Polio Now

We’ve raised $250 this season with our “Cruise-In to End Polio Now”, but we ain’t done yet! Join us for one last night out under the lights at the Village of Orange on November 30th. Our partner, The Habit Grille, will donate 20% of that evening’s sales to our “Polio Plus” campaign. But only if you come and enjoy some of their yummy food! Download the Cruise Night Flyer and present the coupon when ordering.

Thank you to our car community for helping us make history!

Remembering Tom

We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of our dear friend and Rotarian, Tom Davis, who left us on October 13th.

Orange Plaza was Tom’s last Rotary club, and we know how lucky we are. In nearly 40 years as a Rotarian, Tom Davis left his mark. He was the “tree guy” behind the Rotary Club of Villa Park, procuring the saplings given to grade schoolers in celebration of Arbor Day. Even after transferring to Orange Plaza Rotary, he continued to volunteer at Villa Park events and to stay in touch with good friends there. Tom supported youth programs, working directly with El Modena Interact, and kept us connected to international service, in partnership with the RC of Villa Park. For Tom, Rotary was a family affair and we were thrilled to welcome his daughter Kristen as a member. Tom opened his home to the family of Rotary as well, and we had a wonderful time celebrating the end of summer at his home with our friends. Thanks for the memories, Tom. We love you and will miss you!

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held November 21st at 11am at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Orange, CA. A lunch reception will be held afterwards.

And This Little Piggy Conquered Polio

Once upon a time, a little Rotary club joined with 20 other volunteers to build a home on the outskirts of Tijuana. At the end of a rewarding day, the volunteers caravanned back to the international border and waited in line for approval to cross into the USA. The volunteers told jokes and stories and communicated with the car of friends behind them by waving, making faces and other amusing gestures.

But the group was distracted by 1) the urgent need of a certain member to find a nearby restroom, and 2) the many fine wares being hawked by dozens of Mexican vendors along the route to the border. So, the certain member was dispatched with a Mexican guide to find relief, only to return with the announcement that he had located the perfect souvenir of the group’s experience: Rotunda, the Polio Pig.

Much haggling ensued before Rotunda was purchased, but when the transaction was concluded, Rotunda was immediately delivered to the club treasurer, traveling in the car directly behind the SUV filled with generous pig-loving Rotarians. Dolores’ expression when receiving this gift was not glee, exactly, but more of a look of astonishment and woe. Nonetheless, Rotunda occupied a place of honor in her office for many years and occasionally attended a Rotary meeting, car show or other special event.

Alas, little piggies do not live forever and the time came to slaughter Rotunda for market. With all the pomp and circumstance we can muster, Orange Plaza Rotary threw Rotunda a going-away soiree on August 17th. As you can tell by the photos, Rotunda enjoyed the proceedings immensely, even after we performed surgery to extract over $98 dollars from her posterior. Although Rotunda did not survive the surgery, her sacrifice will change the lives of children around the world who receive vaccinations through Rotary’s campaign to End Polio Now. With only three countries left on the list of “endemic” regions, Rotary and its partners are truly “this close” to eradicating polio from the face of the earth. The polio campaign is just one of the programs of The Rotary Foundation, which celebrates its 100th year of service this year. Want to know how you too can change the world? Join us!

The Best Little Club in O.C.

So this happened…

The members of Orange Plaza Rotary attended the Saturday luncheon at the annual Rotary 5320 District Conference and then hung around for District awards afterward. Oh, how we cheered as our friends in San Clemente Sunrise and Anaheim Hills captured the flag for best project in Community, Youth and International Service! We patted ourselves on the back when we received a Public Image citation and a well-earned Presidential Citation but, truth be told, we were just a wee bit disappointed.

Yes, our motto is “Service Above Self”, but if we are honest with ourselves, we have a competitive spirit running through our tight-knit group. We headed out into the afternoon sunshine, vowing to do better next year.

And then the sun went down, and the lights came up, and dinner was served. We danced, we ate, and we drank. Just a little. Not enough to miss our big moment when Governor Padilla announced Orange Plaza Rotary as the best small club in Rotary District 5320!

After the shock wore off, we got a good night’s sleep. Now we’re ready to do it all again.

‘Cause yeah, we are a little club, but kind of a big deal.

Fighting Disease and Ending Polio Now

Rotary’s top priority is the eradication of polio, but our members take on far greater responsibilities to fight disease. They set up health camps and training facilities in undeveloped countries and in communities struggling with HIV/AIDS and malaria. They also design and build the infrastructure for doctors, nurses, governments, and partners to reach the one in six people in the world who can’t afford to pay for health care.

Disease prevention and treatment takes on many forms, from supporting studies to helping immunize people to improving drinking water and the sanitation infrastructure. The world relies on Rotary to tackle these global challenges, and to set an example for others to follow.

Learn more about our work to prevent and eradicate disease on the Rotary International website.

Orange Plaza Rotary Recognized for Charitable Giving

Members of Orange Plaza Rotary celebrated the work of The Rotary Foundation at the annual Rotary District 5320 Foundation Gala, held November 14th at Crevier Classic Cars. The event drew more than 300 supporters of The Rotary Foundation, which funds grants for service projects performed by Rotarians around the world. The Foundation’s areas of focus include water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, economic and community development, and peace and conflict resolution.

Orange Plaza Rotary was recognized for donations to the Foundation of more than $290 per member. In addition, the club was praised for encouraging every member to contribute during the Rotary year. And Orange Plaza Rotary was one of a few clubs in the District to donate more that $2,000 to the campaign to end polio.

The Rotary Foundation returns 93 cents of every dollar it receives to Rotary clubs in the form of service project grants. Orange Plaza has previously received grants to perform cleft palate and eye surgeries for children in Mexico, provide desks and computers to schools in India and fund the Mentor Meals program at El Modena High School.

For more information about The Rotary Foundation, visit the Rotary International website.

July Cruise-In to Fight Polio

Orange Plaza Rotary welcomed local car enthusiasts to our regular meeting spot at Marie Callender’s on July 29th. The “cruise-in” was a chance to check out some great cars and catch up with old friends. Many participated in our “Dine-In and Donate” fundraiser, taking advantage of happy hour specials at Marie Callender’s. The restaurant donated 20% of the proceeds to Orange Plaza Rotary, which will use the funds in the battle to End Polio Now. Join us for the next cruise-in event on August 26th at Marie Callender’s.