Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach is continuing to exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
In honor of World Polio Day on Oct. 24, the local club donated $22,000 to Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. The funds will be used to help Rotary International and its partners obtain the vaccines, transport and materials needed in the fight against polio.
Since Rotary launched a global effort to immunize the world’s children against polio, the occurrence of the virus has dropped by more than 99.9%, from about 350,000 cases in 1988 to just over 100 cases of wild poliovirus today.
“The virus remains in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said Sam Hall, president of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. “It’s critical we continue our efforts until we end polio forever and ensure every child is protected from the disease.”
The club has also continued its support of the local community during this challenging time. Although the club was unable to hold its annual Mineral City Celebration, the organization still raised more than $100,000 that was provided to nearly 30 area nonprofit organizations.
Grant recipients included Beaches Dial-a-Ride, Beaches Habitat for Humanity, Beaches Museum, Volunteers in Medicine, Pace Center for Girls and USO of Greater Jacksonville, among many others.
“These organizations do lifechanging work in our community every single day,” Hall said. “Now more than ever, we are honored to support their efforts.”
The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach was recently honored by Rotary District 6970 for its End Polio Now giving, as well as its support of the Rotary Foundation. The club was also named the Best Civic Club for the second consecutive year in the Ponte Vedra Recorder’s Best of the Best of Ponte Vedra competition. In addition, the club’s Mineral City Celebration was named the Best Charity Event for the second straight year, and more than 10 members or member organizations were also honored by the Recorder in 25 different award categories.
For more information on the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach, go to pvbrotary.org.
