Rotary International honored with UNICEF's Children First Award

Evanston-based Rotary International was honored on April 6, 2019 at the Twelfth Annual UNICEF Gala Chicago for its longstanding efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. John Hewko, Rotary’s General Secretary, accepted the award, noting more than 18 million people who otherwise would have been paralyzed are walking today because of Rotary and its partners such as UNICEF.

UNICEF honored Rotary with its Children First Award for the global non-profit’s remarkable efforts to help eradicate the world of vaccine-preventable diseases. Rotary’s work has helped achieve a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases around the globe. While in 1985, there were more than 350,000 polio cases a year in 125 countries, last year there were just 33 cases of wild poliovirus in two remaining endemic countries. Rotary members worldwide have contributed $1.9 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to the fight to end polio.

The Midwest Regional Office of UNICEF USA hosted the evening event at The Geraghty to raise funds for UNICEF’s work to save and improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. Over the course of the evening, nearly 500 guests experienced interactive UNICEF installations, enjoyed a seated dinner and live music, and had the opportunity to participate in a live auction, raising $1.15 million in support of UNICEF’s global mission.