This 15th year is a special treat, as you don't even have to run to get a prize. All participants--young/old, runners/non-runners, local/worldwide--will band together to raise money for local Cobb charities. Our "Dog Days" 5K typically honors the heat and humidity of summer and over the years, the Rotary Club of East Cobb has donated more than $500,000 from race proceeds to local and international service projects. This year all participants will be entered into a drawing and "race winners" will be chosen by random drawing. For most of us "less-than-speedy" runners, it may be the best chance for us to "win".

World Polio Day is a time for Rotarians and Rotaractors across the globe to raise awareness about our work to eradicate polio for good. If we stay committed to making progress, polio will be the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

In our fight to end polio, we’ve used our collective strength to defeat this devastating disease in almost every part of the world. This year, the World Health Organization’s African region was certified free of wild poliovirus – showing that eradication is possible even in very difficult circumstances. Wild poliovirus still paralyzes children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.

Let’s Take Action

A polio-free world is possible, but we can achieve it only by taking action together. With the challenges to vaccination programs posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more crucial that Rotary continues to build awareness and raise funds for polio eradication.

Join the effort to vaccinate children and end polio by organizing a World Polio Day event for your community. In 2019, Rotary members held more than 5,900 events in 136 countries. This year, online events and activities will allow us to expand our reach even more and inspire others to join us.

Not sure how to take action for World Polio Day? From virtual event ideas to social media posts and photos, the World Polio Day Toolkit can help you start planning and promoting your activities now.

Download Toolkit