Baldwin Rotary Clubs participate in Purple Pinkie project to eradicate polio

Ryan Frolik, left, Robertsdale Rotary Club vice president/president-elect for 2021-22, delivers Purple Pinkie donuts to the Robertsdale Police Department on Monday, Oct. 18 as part of Purple Pinkie Day for Polio Plus Eradication. Pictured with Frolik are RPD officers Fred Stringer, center, and Zach Williams.
Ryan Frolik, left, Robertsdale Rotary Club vice president/president-elect for 2021-22, delivers Purple Pinkie donuts to the Robertsdale Police Department on Monday, Oct. 18 as part of Purple Pinkie Day for Polio Plus Eradication. Pictured with Frolik are RPD officers Fred Stringer, center, and Zach Williams.
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ROBERTSDALE — On Monday, Oct. 18, Rotarians in Baldwin County joined the fight to eradicate polio forever.

Rotary clubs throughout District 6880 marked historic progress toward a polio-free world urging the community to help end the paralyzing disease by participating in the “Purple Pinkie Day” fund raising effort and recognizing World Polio Day, Oct. 24.

The Purple Pinkie idea come from the purple marking on a child's pinky when he or she receives the immunization in developing countries.

If you are not familiar, Dunkin Donuts (Bluemont Group LLC) donates donuts to Rotary at no cost to clubs or districts, so clubs can presale to its members at $25 per box. The donuts look like the pinkie finger and has a purple tip which symbolizes the ink on the end of a pinkie finger on a child who has been immunized in places like India with 100 % of proceeds goes to Polio Plus Eradication.

One box of 10 Purple Pinkie donuts is matched by participating Rotary districts, matched again and then doubled by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This $25 will result in a $187.50 contribution to the World Polio Fund to end polio now.

Rotary clubs throughout District 6880, including Rotary clubs in Daphne/Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Foley, Point Clear and Robertsdale, recognized Polio’s Eradication Purple Pinkie Day on Monday, Oct. 18.

A total of 1,682 boxes of pink tipped “Long John” finger shaped donuts were delivered throughout District 6880 for a total of $42,050 in donations or a grand total of $315,375 raised for Polio Plus.

In Baldwin County alone, a total of 216 boxes were purchased for a total donation of $40,500, 88 boxes in Fairhope, 64 in Foley, 31 in Daphne/Spanish Fort, 31 in Robertsdale and two in Point Clear.

Many purchasers of the tasty treats picked up their donuts, while many donated donuts, purchased by Rotarians, were distributed to local first responders including fire stations, ambulance services, law enforcement, hospital staff, nursing homes and other heroes impacted by COVID-19.
Recognizing World Polio Day, Oct. 24, in a united effort to eradicate polio off the face of the earth, Rotary clubs wish to thank each person who supported this very important initiative.

Rotary’s Polio Plus Initiative

When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. Great progress has been made against the disease since then. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raising $50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million. Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985.

About Rotary

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world. Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.

Individuals playing a key role in this year “Purple Pinkie Day” to eradicate Polio forever include: Past District Governor Robert Greer, Mobile, District Polio chair; Past District Governor Sam Adams, Montgomery, Area Polio coordinator; District Governor Bruce McNeal; Assistant District Governor Bob Walsh; District Governor Elect Dell Goodwin, Dothan Area Polio coordinator; and District Governor Nominee Graham Champion.