Pints for Polio helping to eradicate polio
Donations, sponsors, and more raised $44,000+
The Greater Big Spring Rotary Club held the “biggest event of the year” at the Howard County Fairgrounds last weekend - Pints for Polio. According to Rotary members, the money raised this year is triple what has been raised in the previous years.
“By far this was our best fundraising event, and we are so grateful to our community for opening their big hearts to sponsor,” Najam Hasan, Greater Big Spring Rotary Club president, said.
Pints for Polio began the day out with a cornhole tournament at the fairbarn, with 12 teams competing for the Top Spot. The overall winning team was Paige Atkins and Jaycee Herrera. The second place team was The Killer Bees - Michael Bermea, Third Place was Lance Gross and Eric Herrera, and Fourth Place was Bella and Joshua Ibarra. The competition was hosted in partnership with West Texas Baggers Cornhole Club.
“We are 99.9% of the way to eradicating polio, but until that last .1 percent is eradicated we have to keep pushing forward and working to end polio,” Jason Beck, Greater Big Spring Rotary Club Treasurer, said.
The annual event brought in around $44,000 which will be used to help eradicate polio and support local service projects in Howard County. Half of the earnings will go to End Polio Now - part of the Rotary International - and be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help in the fight against polio.
According to statistics put together by Rotarian Jeff Ward, through the donation there will be $66,000 donated from the Pints for Polio event and in turn will be able to purchase 132,000 doses of the vaccine. Each dose costs about 50 cents. The other funds raised will be utilized throughout the year in service projects and community outreach through the GBSRC.
“We are thankful for all those who helped by donating resources, time and helped spread the word,” Hasan said. “We attribute our success to combined efforts of all volunteers and citizens, and particularly to the leadership of Big Spring Rotary Club and many more.”
He continued, “Greater Big Spring Rotary is leading Texas Rotary Clubs in fundraising to eradicate polio, and we are grateful for the sponsors who are supporting this cause.”
To find out more about how to help join the End Polio Now efforts, reach out to any of the Greater Big Spring Rotary Club members or visit the Rotary website or Facebook page.