On October 3, the Rotary Club of Coronado celebrated its centennial year with an unforgettable evening of wine, fellowship and generosity. An event that takes Polio Plus efforts closer to reaching its goal.
The club's annual wine tasting fundraiser, Pour It Forward, raised an impressive $292,169 after expenses, benefiting two causes important to Coronado Rotary: the worldwide effort to eradicate polio and local programs and services of Safe Harbor Coronado.
The annual fundraising tradition, established in 1995, has generated more than $1.3 million over the past decade. This year's celebration was especially meaningful as it coincided with Coronado Rotary's 100th anniversary, bringing Rotarians and community members together in support of causes that make a difference both locally and around the world.
The event started small with a few Rotarians who were especially dedicated to the eradication of polio because they, a family member or a friend, had experienced polio firsthand and knew how devastating the illness could be. It grew annually as others in the club saw the importance of ensuring that children throughout the world could be inoculated against the destructive illness. Gradually, it became a part of the Club’s credo; a preeminent annual event that combined fellowship and fun with a commitment by many to donate significant sums toward the eradication of polio.
Event co-chairs Juliane Morris and Anne Stockdale agreed that the evening's success was made possible by an extraordinary team of more than 70 Rotarians who contributed countless hours, creativity and dedication to planning and executing the event.
With another successful fundraiser in the books, Pour It Forward stands as a fitting tribute to Coronado Rotary's century of service and the remarkable generosity of the community it calls home.
The Rotary Club of Coronado has earned distinction as the number one fundraiser for polio in the Rotary world.
This year's successful fundraiser has given a significant shot in the arm for the district's efforts in raising $334,000 for Polio Plus. In fact, Coronado's effort inspired District Governor Jeb Bakke to rethink his giving strategy by directing more of his personal funds to Polio Plus earning him major donor status with the Rotary Foundation. Hopefully all of us will to do more, as individuals and clubs, to help achieve the $334,000 goal for this year.