MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Saturday marked World Polio Day – and three local Rotary Clubs made sure the U.P. took notice.
The Rotary Clubs of Marquette, Marquette Harbor, and Ishpeming joined forces for a county-wide day of awareness and fundraising. The day kicked off with a Walk- for a Polio-Free World from the Frazier Boathouse to the Marquette Regional History Center – where a historic wooden iron lung made right in Marquette is on display.
Local establishments also participated in Pints for Polio throughout the day, with the evening wrapping up at the Holiday Inn for Pumpkins Against Polio – featuring food, music, and door prizes.
Rotary Club organizer Brian Derheimer says the day is about reminding people that polio isn’t just history. “It’s just to help bring awareness about not only Rotary’s impact on helping to eradicate polio, but also to bring awareness that there still even is polio in the world,” says Derheimer. “It is very close to being eradicated around the world, but we’re not quite there yet.”
The fight against polio isn’t over – but with efforts like today’s, the finish line is getting closer.
