Rotarians roll out more fundraisers for Rotary’s challenge
By Dan Nixon
Rotary International News -- 6 February 2009
RI Director Gordon McInally's T-shirt says it all.
Photo courtesy of McInally
Golfers did a double take when they saw golf balls falling from the sky above the driving range at Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, Florida, USA, on 31 October.
A helicopter dropped the balls, 1,820 in all, from 100 feet above a golf pin in the middle of the range as part of a fundraiser to support Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.
Rotarians in District 6990 (Bahamas; Florida) paid $25 for raffle tickets that corresponded to the numbered golf balls. Winners were determined by matching the numbers on the balls closest to the pin with the numbers on the tickets.
"The first-prize winner received a trip for two to Argentina donated by a Rotarian, the second-prize winner received a Cartier watch, and the third-prize winner received a weekend stay and brunch at a local Hyatt Regency," says Noelle Galperin, District 6990 PolioPlus Subcommittee chair.
The effort netted $45,000 for the district's 2008-09 commitment of $50,000 to Rotary's challenge. It was one of many creative fundraisers undertaken by clubs and districts in recent months. Others include:
- RI Director Gordon McInally celebrated New Year's Day by diving into the icy waters of the River Forth in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, Scotland, for Rotary's challenge. More than 500 participants joined him in the plunge, raising over US$6,000 to help end polio.
"Realizing my marathon-running or skydiving days are probably behind me, I decided to take part in the appropriately named annual Loony Dook-sponsored swim which takes place each year in our hometown," McInally says. "Every dollar will make a difference and mean Rotary can meet the challenge and finish eradicating polio from the face of the earth."
- Cars in at least five countries are sporting End Polio Now magnets in a project initiated by the Rotary Club of Washago and Area-Centennial, Ontario, Canada. The magnets cost C$2 (US$1.60) each, with free shipping anywhere in North America. The club has raised more than US$1,115 for Rotary's challenge as of 21 January.
"Originally, we wanted to sell one car magnet to every Rotarian in Canada, but the idea is really catching on, and we have received orders from Rotary clubs in Germany, Switzerland, England, and the USA," says project chair Janet Stead. Learn more at www.washagorotary.ca.
- A Music for Life Concert organized by the Rotary Club of Buxton, Derbyshire, England, raised about US$1,870 for Rotary's challenge. About 300 people turned out to enjoy the 28-piece brass Burbage Band, the Mad Hatters Youth Choir, and the Beresford Singers. On display were five banners with the End Polio Now message, provided by District 1050 (England), and one used in a 2008 National Immunization Day in India, courtesy of Mike Yates, of the Rotary Club of New Mills, Marple & District, Derbyshire.
- An eye-opening fundraiser led by Si Burgher, of the Rotary Club of Bloomfield, Indiana, USA, garnered nearly $1,600 for Rotary's challenge. Burgher, 72, donated his shaggy eyebrows -- popularly dubbed "Greene County's Longest Orbital Locks" -- by having them shaved off as part of the club's annual charity auction on 13 January.
- A December exhibit of more than 150 nativity scenes from around the world collected by Linda Beyea, of the Rotary Club of Ames, Iowa, USA, and her husband, helped generate support for ending polio. The collection featured works by Native American, African, Asian, European, Latin American, and other artisans in a variety of media, including pottery, wood, stained glass, and metal. The exhibit was free of charge, but donations totaled $1,382 for Rotary's challenge.
How has your club raised money to support the challenge? Share your fundraising success stories in the comments section below, or e-mail us.
See how you can help in the fight to End Polio Now at www.rotary.org/endpolio.