Zelienople Rotarian John Avolio is part of the group’s worldwide effort to fight polio. During the club’s first 100 years, Zelienople Rotarians contributed $260,997 to the Rotary Foundation, including at least $41,000 to the initiative to end polio. Submitted photo

The Rotary International Foundation was established in 1917 “for the purpose of doing good work in the world.”

Since then it has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. These include exchange programs for college students, vocational students and adult professionals to promote understanding and goodwill between different countries. The foundation also funds water, sanitation and hygiene projects, economic development, education and literacy, and disease prevention and treatment.

In 1988, the foundation launched the PolioPlus campaign. Since then Rotary and its partners have immunized nearly 3 billion children against polio. As of June 2022, Rotary had committed more than $2.3 billion to global polio eradication.

The Zelienople Rotary has played its part. During its first 100 years, Zelienople Rotarians contributed $260,997 to the Rotary Foundation, including at least $41,000 to the initiative to end polio.

Archie Simpson has chaired the club’s Foundation Committee for many years, and he remembers well when the polio initiative was launched.

“Our club’s response was just fantastic. Our club has been a very giving club,” he said.

Since 1924, 122 Zelienople Rotarians have earned Paul Harris Fellowships for donating at least $1,000 to the foundation, including 37 who have achieved multiple Paul Harris Fellowships and eight benefactors who will leave money to the foundation in their wills.