Last week was “End Polio Now” week for the Rotary Club of Farragut. As part of Rotary International’s World Polio celebration, Farragut Rotary had a pair of fund-raising events, with much of the money raised going to Rotary’s commitment to eradicate polio from the face of the Earth.
These two events raised just more than $22,100 — $14,000 plus at the 17th annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction Friday evening at SouthEast Bank and $8,100 at the “Bingo for Polio” games at last Wednesday’s club meeting at Fox Den Country Club.
How is the polio eradication effort going today? As of last week there are only 12 reported cases of polio worldwide – seven in war-town Afghanistan and five in Nigeria.
This polio eradication initiative is a team effort. Farragut Rotarians raised approximately $1,100 to play bingo. That $1,100 was then matched by District 6780 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing it to $8,100.
A crowd of approximately 125 enjoyed the popular wine tasting event. Stephanie Myers again coordinated the evening and the wine was donated and poured by the Sam Taylor family of Dixie Lee Wines & Liquor. Sam Mishu, who owns M&M Development Co., picked up the tab for the food served by the Water Into Wine staff, led by owner and Farragut Rotarian Candace Viox.
SouthEast Bank in the Renaissance Center again hosted the event, and bank CEO Bill Thompson and wife Felicity enjoyed the evening with us.
The club thanked Taylor and Mishu with donations of $1,000 to a charity of their choice. Taylor selected the Lenoir City Food Pantry and Mishu the relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. Thompson was honored for making the bank available and the club contributing $500 to the Humane Society of Loudon Country.
Farragut president Chris Camp welcomed two distinguished Rotarians to the wine event – the husband-wife team of District 6780 Gov. Debbie Alexander-Davis and her husband, Bobby, who was our district governor in 2010-11.
“We had a wonderful week that reflects the enthusiasm and the commitment that our members and our club have for eradicating polio,” Camp said. “It is a worldwide effort and we’re proud to be a partner in this effort. Ending polio and never allowing it to threaten the world again is an historic accomplishment. We’re close, and together we’re all making a difference.”