On World Polio Day, Oct. 24, volunteers from Rotary District 7230 raised funds to help eradicate polio by distributing delicious donuts with purple icing. Thanks to the Rotary District and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, funds raised by donut sales were matched up to 7.5 times.
Michele Thomas, executive vice president of Home Care at The Osborn in Rye and chair of Rotary District 7230 Polio Plus Committee, spearheaded the fundraiser. Along with other volunteers, she was at the Dunkin’ in Port Chester to package up the special donuts. On behalf of Osborn Home Care, Thomas distributed the donuts to the Rye Police Station, The Enclave, The Pavilion, and the Rye Presbyterian. Donuts were also delivered to other police stations and firehouses as well as food pantries.
Dunkin’ generously donated 100 dozen donuts to the district, and a small committee set out to “sell” them for $25 per dozen. In just 12 hours, all were sold out. The $2,500 raised from the donut sales matched up to 7.5 times, amounted to $18,750.
World Polio Day, which is on Oct. 24 every year, is also known as “Purple Pinkie Day” since kids being immunized have their pinkies marked with purple ink that lasts for 30 days, to ensure they are not vaccinated more than once. This is why the Purple Pinkie Donut—a glazed donut stick, with a dab of purple icing — was created.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease.
