Purple Pinkie Project: Ending Polio
Rotary members in Waterville are marking progress toward a polio-free world while helping to end the paralyzing disease
The Purple Pinkie Project is among many events to be held by Rotary clubs around the world in honor of World Polio Day, 24 October
One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio. Rotary members in Waterville are taking action in honor of World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
On October 23 and 24, the Rotary Club of Waterville will be hosting the “Purple Pinkie Polio Project”. This project aims to inform the local community of the effects of polio and help raise funds for End Polio Now. The Club will have tables set up at Kennebec Valley Community College, Thomas College, Alfond Youth and Community Center, and Colby College. Kennebec Valley Community College will host their event on Thursday, October 23 from 2–4pm, Thomas College on Friday, October 24 at 2–4pm, Alfond Youth and Community Center 4–6pm, and Colby College 11am–1pm. This event aims to educate the public about Polio and raise funds for the ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease. Stop by to learn about these efforts and paint your pinky nail purple with a donation in support! The purple pinky is symbolic of those who receive the vaccine getting their pinky dipped in purple ink. If you are unable to attend the event but want to contribute donations, please visit the club’s website at www.watervillerotary.com.
Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere, and Rotary members from Waterville have long worked to end the paralyzing virus, which will be only the second human disease ever eradicated. The club will also be taking donations. Club President, Michele Prince states “So far in 2025 there have been 29 cases of polio reported in Pakistan. We urge community members to learn more about what we all can do to help wipe out this disease once and for all!” The club regularly makes donations towards End Polio Now as part of their Service Above Self mission. The Waterville Rotary Club is also involved in several other local community projects throughout the year.
Rotary International has contributed more than US$2.1 billion to fight polio and countless volunteer hours since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985. In 1988, Rotary joined in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, later joined. When the initiative launched, there were 350,000 cases of polio every year. Today, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9%.
To sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine, Rotary International has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1 for a total yearly contribution of US$150 million.
About Rotary
Rotary International brings together a global network of community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. We connect 1.4 million members from more than 46,000 Rotary clubs across the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Visit Rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
About Rotary Club of Waterville
The Rotary Club of Waterville, on Facebook at Waterville Rotary Noon Club and Instagram at @waterville_rotary, welcomes new members who, as people of action, seek to volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Information about becoming a member is available at www.watervillerotary.com or by attending the weekly meeting at Noon on Mondays at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Downtown Waterville, 375 Main Street Waterville, ME 04901.