BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:ROTARY DISTRICT 7930\n \;\nP R E S S  \; \;R E L E A S E \; \n \;\nSubmitted by Josh Arnold\nDistrict Public Rela tions Co-Chairman\n978-281-3634\njosharnold@verizon.net\n \;\n \ ;\n \;\nRotary District 7930 will hold its 3rd annual Polar Plunge o n Saturday February 9\, 2013 at Long Beach in Gloucester at 11:30 A.M.&n bsp\; The event is part Rotary International&rsquo\;s ongoing campaign t o eradicate polio in our lifetime.\n \;\nThe event is expected to yi eld more then 250 people plunging into the cold waters off Cap Ann adjac ent the Cape Ann Motor Inn. \; The Gloucester Rotary Club is the hos t for this event.  \;Last year close to 160 people braved the icy wa ters in an effort that is considered on of fellowship\, public awareness \, and fundraising. Last year&rsquo\;s efforts yielded more then $34\,00 0. Polar Plunge and Polio Chairman Bob Gravino of the Ipswich club has s et this year&rsquo\;s goal at $100\,000. \; That amounts to $2\,100 per club for 48 clubs from Boston north to Salem NH and East to the Cape Ann communities of Gloucester\, Rockport\, Essex and Manchester.\n  \;\nThe district is also utilizing an electronic fundraising process thi s year in efforts to help clubs and members raise the targeted $100\,000 . \; Supporters are encouraged to log on to\nhttps://www.fundraise.c om/activity/the-rotary-foundation-of-rotary-international/rotary7930-pol ar-plunge\n \;\n \;and make a pledge to help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease. \; \; If you would like t o help out or participate in some way please feel free to contact Commit tee Chairman Bob Gravino RCGRAVINO@aol.com\nor Josh Arnold the Event&rsq uo\;s Public Relations Chairman at josharnold@verizon.net\nClubs are usi ng social media of Facebook and Twitter to help promote their participat ion in the event.\n \;\nSince 1985\, Polio has become the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners includi ng\; The Global Poverty Project\, The Global Eradication Initiative\, Th e World Health Organization\, and The Bill &\; Melinda Gates Foundati on to name a few. \; \; The disease was prevalent here in the Un ited States in the years following the first two world wars. \; Sinc e then\, efforts have been spearheaded by Rotary International to eradic ate them from the Philippines in 1985.\n \;\nOn the success of the P hilippines endeavor\, Rotary International (R.I.) embarked on the missio n to eradicate Polio from the world entirely. \; Since that time\, m ore then a billion dollars has been raised among Rotary clubs world wide and the Bill &\; Melinda Gates Foundation. \; When R>\;I. Took on the battle against this disease more then 350\,000 people spanning 1 25 countries were impacted. Today there are three countries left where i t has not been eradicated\, namely Pakistan\, Afghanistan and Nigeria.\n  \;\nThe year 2012 was an historic year in the battle against polio as 429 million children have been vaccinated against polio. \; Less then 300 cases of polio were reported in 2012. \; That figure repres ents a decline of more then 60% from 2011. In order for a country to be certified as having the disease eradicated\, it must sustain three succe ssive years of zero new cases of polio reported within its population.\n  \;\nFor as little as 60 cents your donation can make the difference in changing a person&rsquo\;s life. \; Please support Rotarians acr oss 48 clubs in more then 50 communities north of Boston as they brave t he icy waters off Gloucester to help their fellow humankind eradicate po lio in our lifetime. \; \; The public is welcome to attend.  \; Hot refreshments will be served by high school students composed of l ocal interact clubs (formerly junior Rotarians). \; More then 1000 p eople are expected for the event. URL:http://wakefield.patch.com/events/rotary-polar-plunge-to-eradicate-po lio-b3432b21 SUMMARY:Rotary Polar Plunge to eradicate Polio LOCATION:33 Rockport Rd\, Gloucester\, MA 01930: 33 Rockport Rd\, Glouces ter\, MA END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR