Highland Park-Highwood Rotary Club To Join World Polio Day Walk

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Rotary Club of Highland Park Highwood plans to mark World Polio Day on Oct. 24 by joining the World’s Largest Polio Walk, a coordinated Rotary effort focused on raising awareness and support for polio eradication.

The local walk is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Central Avenue, from Port Clinton to McGovern, and is open to the public.

Rotary said 36,620 Rotarians and 964 Rotaractors across 11 states and 2 countries are expected to participate in the nationwide walk by organizing and joining walks in their local communities.

The local club is inviting community members, families and supporters to take part in the event. Participants are encouraged to make a donation to Rotary’s End Polio Now initiative. Special giveaway items will be available for donors while supplies last.

According to Rotary, polio cases have been reduced by more than 99.9% worldwide, but eradication efforts are still ongoing. Support for surveillance remains important in preventing outbreaks.

Rotary has been involved in the effort to eradicate polio for more than 40 years through its End Polio Now campaign, according to the announcement.

The World’s Largest Polio Walk is intended to keep public attention on the campaign until polio is fully eradicated. For the Highland Park event, the route is set along Central Avenue, and organizers said the walk is open to anyone who wants to participate.

Participants are also encouraged to wear Rotary or End Polio Now gear, bring friends and family, and share photos or updates on social media to spread the message further.