SHARE THIS ARTICLE
‘My best friend in the 5th grade had had polio and wore a brace on her lower leg which was withered,” said member Ann Elkington. “It hurt me for her that she was embarrassed by having to wear the clunky brace and the dorky shoes, and struggled to walk straight.”
Video clip of Chestnut Hill Rotary members sharing why they are proud to be a Rotarian.
“I wouldn’t let anyone tease her. But Marsha taught me to fly off the high diving board at the pool. She was fearless. I’m proud to be in Rotary which has taken on polio, a horrifying disease. Where ever you are now, Marsha, I dedicate my membership to you.”
Rotary members took to various social media platforms on Tuesday to share why they are proud to be a Rotarian. The effort, initiated by Rotary Zone 28 & 32 covering parts of the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, and St. Pierre & Miquelon, France, coincided with Rotary’s theme for August, Membership and New Club Development Month.
Polio eradication efforts in India.
Polio was once one of the most feared diseases globally. A highly infectious disease with no cure, polio spread rapidly through communities and left devastation in its wake. Every year, thousands of children used to be killed and hundreds of thousands paralyzed. In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative. Three years later, with Rotary's help, The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is launched, as polio paralyzes more than 350,000 children every year in over 125 countries. Along with its partners, Rotary International and clubs around the world have helped immunize 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.
“Rotary is about more than meetings and projects. It’s about building friendships, giving back, and knowing the work we do is making a difference in people’s lives,” wrote new member Ravi Gulivindala. “Whether it’s helping in our own neighborhood or supporting causes around the world, being part of this group reminds me that small actions can create big change.” Gulivindala, a real estate professional, grew up in Chestnut Hill and wants to give back to the community.
Members Sylvia and Bill Barone
Because some members are not active on social media, a short video clip was created to share their unique and moving stories and was posted on Chestnut Hill Rotary’s YouTube Channel, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
“We are proud to be Rotarians because Rotarians are respectful and tolerant. We leave our religion and politics at the door,” shared Chestnut Hill Rotary members Sylvia and Bill Barone. “This makes it possible to focus on the sea of need, both in our community and globally. We help, we give, we work to lessen need every day. And we are grateful that together we can.”
