The world’s progress in fighting polio might be one of the best-kept secrets in global health.
Bill Gates, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
On Thursday October 07, 2021 we had the absolute pleasure of having Philip Wilson, Phil is a Retired Chairman and CEO at West Bergen Mental Healthcare, member of the Rotary Club of The Palisades, and a Rotarian for 33 years. He has visited Rotary clubs throughout the world and been involved with many international projects. Philip Wilson shares his remarkable story of service in both Peace Corps and Rotary, and his continuing work to help end polio. Phil gave us an Overview of the Struggle to Eliminate Polio from the World
A polio survivor commitment to service
The world saw the lowest case count of wild polio in history in 2021 (just 2 cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
When Philip Wilson was 8 years old, he contracted polio and lost the ability to use both of his arms. This didn’t stop him from growing up to serve in the Peace Corps teaching students in Kenya, East Africa. Philip later joined Rotary and continued to serve communities in need and joined the fight to end polio.
Peace Corps provides opportunities for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to work alongside U.S. volunteers training in the humanitarian development sector to empower communities and connect them to resources for a brighter future. Peace Corps volunteers serve in more than 60 countries and work with nongovernmental organizations, host-country governments, and local community members to address local needs. A Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) offers access to local contacts, community development insights, and funding possibilities within a particular community. Involving a PCV in your project will increase its reach, impact, and sustainability.
Illustrating his remarks with a PowerPoint slide presentation, Phil also said that routine vaccinations were continuing, that RI is attempting to assure the availability of vaccine to high-risk areas and that plans are under way to resume national immunization campaigns when the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic is lessened.
The Disease
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5.
Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.
The Facts
1 Polio mainly affects children under age 5.
2 There is no cure, but polio is preventable with a vaccine.
3 Only two countries remain endemic.
4 We’ve reduced cases by 99.9% since 1988.
5 Until we end polio forever, every child is at risk.
Progress to End Polio 1988 -2020
Who is Affected?
Unless we eradicate polio, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 new cases could occur around the world each year. In the past few years, only two countries have reported cases of polio caused by the wild virus, but no child anywhere is safe until we’ve vaccinated every child.
The only way to end polio is together.
Containing polio to just 3 countries is a tremendous achievement, and proof of what’s possible when we come together. Help us shine a spotlight on polio by advocating, fundraising, and educating on the need to end polio now.
3 Actions. 3 Minutes.
A world of difference.
1* Learn:Get informed and help make polio a subject of conversation in your community.
2* Share: Most people have heard of polio but few know that the disease still affects children around the world. You can help by spreading the word. Share how we can end polio on social media or send a letter to your local newspaper editor to let them know why polio eradication is important to you.
3* Donate: Every donation helps us obtain the vaccines, transport and materials needed in the fight against polio.
Every dollar Rotary commits to end polio will be tripled thanks to a matching agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (up to US$50 million a year).
Philip praised our own Nick Laganella for his generous donation of 10K to Polio few years ago! Phil said that we are a wonderful Rotary Club, and he thanked everyone for the support.
All donations to polio count toward Paul Harris Fellowship points.
If anyone has questions, Please contact Phil directly.
Our first ever Wreath/Grave blanket fundraiser! Lisa Mc Crea updated us on this project. A flyer was distributed during the meeting with all the information for this new fundraiser. The Pre-Sale for Rotarians started Oct 1st and you can write out a check to the Rotary Club of Paramus OR use our Venmo @ParamusRotaryClub. Location, date and time for pick-up is to be determined at this this time but more information will be available soon.
Many of you are not able to make it to our regular weekly meetings but we are hoping for full participation after the last 18 months we have had. We urge every member to purchase at least 5 wreaths and/or grave blankets to help with this effort. The wreaths/grave blankets come already decorated and make the perfect gift for this upcoming holiday season! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Have a great weekend!
Keep up the good work with Rotary Club of Paramus Trex Bag Recycling Challenge
We are close to 200 pounds!!
We need to meet and surpass our goal of 500 LBS of plastic for this year. Madame President Dawn Feorenzo would like to have two benches to donate.
The Trex Company has hosted the Recycling Challenge since 2006, with the objective of educating public on the importance of plastic film recycling through school and community recycling programs. Participants collect plastic bags and film with the goal of collecting or exceeding 500 pounds of plastic in a 6-month period. If the goal is met the group is awarded an earth-friendly Trex bench, created from recycled plastic bags and film. This is an ongoing program, and benches are donated to local schools, libraries and public county areas.
NOTE - Please remember that Joe Lupo can offer Notary Services at no cost - You can make a donation to the club!!
Club Adventure
RHINE GETAWAY RIVER CRUISE - We have around 15 from our club already signed up - This is going to be FUN
Our Rhine River Cruise scheduled for March, 2022 is open to the district. If you are interested in going, please speak to Joe Lupo ASAP.
Join members of the Paramus Rotary Club on a Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam, the Netherland to Basel, Switzerland March 21 through March 28, 2022. Enjoy visiting the sites in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland aboard one of Vikings newest longships, the Viking Edgir. Special reduced rates for Rotary members, their friends and family. The cruise price starts at $2374 per. person and includes the stateroom, all meals, wine and beer with meals, tours in each port, internet and nightly entertainment on board.
Round trip air from Newark or one of twelve gateway cities established at $399. per person. Air transportation includes round trip transfer to and from the airport.
Priority booking for Paramus Rotary Members, friends and family prior to being offered to other Rotary Club members in District 7490.
For questions or additional information email: bluewatercruises@live.com or call Joseph Lupo at 973-748-0248.
SPOT LIGHT TO DISTRICT's NEWS AND NOTES
Our District 7490 Staff Meeting was held on Oct 04, 2021 6:00 PM at Crowne Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Saddle Brook, NJ.
Few of our members at the Paramus Club, including our Madam President Dawn Feorenzo attended the meeting.
From left to right, Lois Horowitz, Madam President Dawn Feorenzo, secretary Sherin Elashry, Vice President Jean Jadevaia, Joe Lupo
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Mr. & Mrs. Susani
The deadline to take advantage of the District's offer to pay for two new members has been extended to October 30. Once again, clubs are encouraged to nominate family members (siblings, spouses, adult children) of Board members or other active members.
Spaces are selling fast for our Rotary District 7490 Conference to be held May 19-22 at the beautiful TRS Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Co-Conference Chairs PDG Joe Laureni and PDG Joe Dino have arranged for us to get really great rates for this luxury resort. For those with children, there is a special resort area right across the street! When you reserve, please e-mail a photo of your passport plus a photo of your COVID vaccination card to PDG Joseph Dino at josephdinojr@optonline.net, along with the brochure if using a check. If you would like insurance for the trip, please call Ruby's Travel in Wayne at 973-696-782. Reserve your airfare as early as possible. Ruby's Travel recommended Jet Blue as the best way to go, but of course, this is up to you. You can purchase insurance through Ruby's Travel through October 30. Even if you have already e-mailed your information, PDG Joe Dino prefers that you fill out the form on the back of the attached brochure and send it to DG John or bring it with you to the next District Staff meeting. Don't miss out! Register now!
Rotary Leadership Institute is returning this Fall. You can attend most RLI sessions this year virtually at any level (including this year's Graduate Course on the Rotary Foundation's 7 Areas of Focus) with the first session taking place virtually Saturday, September 25th and then on October 16. If you prefer a course in-person, you can go to Scranton, PA on October 16). They will be holding a session especially for our District and our neighboring District 7475 on April 9 (changed from April 2) but you can attend all sessions. Register at www.rlinea.org The District will pay for all attendees at Level I, and there is a Buy One Get One offer at all of the other levels -- if the club sends two people, then the District will reimburse the club for the money they laid out. We ask that interested participants register and pay first themselves, then send the certificate of completion to the District for reimbursement. When you register for RLI the first time, please register as a guest, since RLI uses a different data base than we use here. If you have already attended an RLI course in the past, you should be in the system.
See you on 10/14/21
A very special thanks to Season’s staff for outstanding services
Join us on Thursdays 12:15pm at Seasons Restaurant
644 Pascack Road, Washington Township
(201) 664 - 6141
