Mayville Rotary raises $1,000 during first End Polio Now Walk

The Mayville Rotary Club took steps toward ending polio Saturday, Oct. 24, raising approximately $1,000 in donations during its inaugural End Polio Now Walk.

Approximately 16 participants joined the club’s first community walk, held in recognition of World Polio Day and Rotary International’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease worldwide.

The free event began at Open Door Coffee Shop on Main Street. Walkers traveled up Main Street to the pavilion, continued through the park to German Street, crossed the metal bridge into Rotary Park and returned along Main Street.

While there was no registration fee, donations were encouraged, with the approximately $1,000 raised benefiting Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under age five and can cause permanent paralysis. Although there is no cure, the disease is preventable through vaccination.

Since 1988, global polio cases have declined by more than 99%, with wild poliovirus remaining endemic in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Rotary International has been a leader in the fight against polio since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, supporting vaccination efforts and raising awareness worldwide.

Mayville Rotary’s inaugural walk brought the global effort home, giving community members an opportunity to support the cause one step at a time.

For more information about Mayville Rotary or how to become a member, visit linktr.ee/mayville_rotary or reach out to a local Rotary member.