Rotary

Area Rotary Clubs are sponsoring the Yvette M. Palmer Purple Pinkie 5-K run/1-mile fun walk Oct. 24 on World Polio Day to eradicate polio worldwide.

The event will take place at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, and there will be no traffic issues, as the course goes through the campus.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9:30 a.m.

Door prizes will be awarded, so anyone can be a winner and the Rotary Clubs are also planning some special after-race food treats.

This fundraiser is called “Purple Pinkie” because children are given candy and toys to get them to line up for their vaccine drops.

A highlight of the event will be participation by local polio survivors. They will answer questions about polio and give personal insight into the importance of vaccination and the elimination of this disease worldwide.

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in parts of the world.

Fortunately, polio is easy to prevent by vaccination.

Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2 billion children against polio in 122 countries.

Runners and walkers may pre-register at purplepinkie.net/registration.

Every $1 raised will be matched with $2 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

For information, visit purplepinkie.net or go to facebook.com/AllentownWestRotary.