The Rotary Club of New Westminster encourages people to donate today to triple their contributions toward the eradication of polio around the world.
The federal government is supporting Rotarians across Canada through the Pennies and More for Polio matching fund initiative. Until March 1, the federal government will match all donations.
Jeremy Perry, the incoming director of public relations for the Rotary Club of New Westminster, is pleased that the federal government decided to lift the cap of $1 million and match all contributions toward the initiative.
"When Rotarians took up the fight against polio, there were 125 countries that were endemic with polio," he said. "That was in the 80s. Today there is three. We are so close to eradicating polio from Earth."
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also matching Rotarians' contributions dollar for dollar.
Perry notes that means every dollar donated in Canada is worth $3 toward the fight against polio.
"It's open to everyone," he said.
To donate or get more information, visit www.endpolio.org.
