By Matt Weingarden
The Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial has announced a major contribution to the global fight against polio, raising $2,318.95 through its annual Pizza for Polio campaign. Thanks to a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the total donation will reach $6,956.85, supporting the worldwide effort to eradicate this devastating disease.
On October 21, in recognition of World Polio Day, several local pizzerias joined forces with the Rotary Club by donating a portion of their sales. Participating pizzerias included Antonino’s Original Pizza (all five locations), Bullseye Pizza (LaSalle), Capri Pizzeria (LaSalle, South Windsor, and Forest Glade), Oven 360 (LaSalle and South Windsor), OG Pizza (LaSalle), and Slice of Pi (LaSalle). The Rotary Club extends its heartfelt thanks to these businesses and to all customers who supported the fundraiser by purchasing pizza.
The funds will be directed to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership involving national governments and five key partners: the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The GPEI’s mission is to eliminate polio worldwide.
Polio remains endemic in just two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until the virus is wiped out in these final strongholds, all nations can still be at risk, particularly those with weaker health systems and ongoing travel or trade with affected areas. Eradicating polio would mark only the second time in history that a human disease has been eliminated globally, following the successful eradication of smallpox.
With continued community support and international partnerships, the Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial is proud to play a role in bringing the world closer to a polio-free future.
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Members of the Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial enjoy fellowship and pizza while supporting their Pizza for Polio fundraiser to help eradicate polio worldwide.
