During the last two weeks of October, the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley will sponsor its annual Purple Pinkie Day in schools across the Nashoba Regional School District.  In support of World Polio Day on October 24, Purple Pinkie Day is part of Rotary International’s “PolioPlus to End Polio Now” campaign. Students are encouraged to donate at least $1 to immunize children worldwide against polio. All donations are matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation, so each $1 donation results in $3 for polio eradication. In addition to donation envelopes being collected at the schools, donations can be mailed to Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, PO Box 322, Stow, MA 01775.

It’s called Purple Pinkie Day, because health workers typically use a purple dye to mark children’s pinkie fingers after the children are vaccinated. This prevents a double dosage. By sponsoring Purple Pinkie Day in the schools, we are hopeful the students learn more about polio and feel good about helping children on the other side of the world.

Launched in 1985, Rotary International’s PolioPlus was the first and largest international private-sector program for a public health initiative. By partnering with the World Health Organization and other government and private groups including the Gates Foundation, Rotary International has reduced polio by 99 percent around the world.