Local Eugene boy raises money for polio

Photo courtesy of Rotary International

A ten-year-old from Eugene, Oregon recently took polio eradication into his own hands by raising $1,640 for Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge. The Rotary International challenge is an effort to eradicate polio in four countries where the polio-virus is endemic: India, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Ian Schwartz is a fourth grader at St. Paul Parish School. Instead of receiving gifts for his birthday, he asked his friends to donate money for the charity. Ian was inspired to raise money for the charity after he saw an illustrated history of polio in the February issue of The Rotarian, “Amazing Stories of Polio.”

To help create awareness about the charity, Ian created a presentation for a school assembly. Ian spent lunch and recess collecting donations and raised a total of $284, which his parents matched, leading to a grand total of $528.

Ian presented his findings to the Eugene Club  and raised an additional $900. His donation also qualifies him as a Paul Harris Fellow and he is invited to join the district’s conference May 30 in Corvallis.

To view the full story about Ian’s efforts to raise money for polio eradication visit: Ten-year-old raises money for polio eradication

For additional resources about polio visit the following sites:

Eradicating Polio–What is takes

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Unicef – Eradicating polio