Bangor Area Rotary Clubs Present the Purple Pinkie Project

The Rotary Clubs of Bangor, Bangor Area and Old Town are joining forces to host the Purple Pinkie Project celebration during the month of October in recognition of World Polio Day, which takes place Oct. 24. All activities are meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money -- $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.

During the month of October, several events will be held with organizers and volunteers “painting” the region purple when they present the Purple Pinkie Project. For $1, volunteers will color your pinkie purple to help raise money for polio eradication. A purple pinkie serves as a symbol for one polio immunization. Funds raised will go toward Rotary International’s End Polio Now efforts.

“We are so pleased to bring attention to the Polio Plus project for Rotary International to our local communities. We look forward to seeing hundreds of purple pinkies throughout this week, and encourage everyone to wear purple, especially on October 24^th for this celebration” said Scott Boucher, Assistant Governor for Area 9 Rotary Clubs.

Activities will include educational sessions and painting stations at the local Rotary Club meetings, which are:

Bangor Area Breakfast Rotary Thursday, October 20^th at 7:00 am Rangley Hall, EMCC, Bangor	Rotary Club of Old Town Thursday, October 20^th at 6:15 pm Elks Lodge, Old Town
Rotary Club of Bangor Tuesday, October 25^th at 12:00 pm Wellman Commons, Bangor

New this year for the Purple Pinkie Project will be “Pints for Polio”, a series of celebration events hosted at local restaurants each Friday evening in October. At each event a Purple Pinkie Station will be setup for community members to come out and show their support for the project by painting their pinkies purple and raising a pint in celebration that we are “This Close” to eradicating this horrible disease from the world. The events will be open to all Rotarians, friends and community members. “Pints for Polio” will go from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Special thanks to our restaurant partners for hosting our events and supporting our project.

“Pints for Polio” Schedule

October 7^th: Geaghan’s Pub in Bangor

October 14^th: High Tide Restaurant in Brewer

October 21^st: Seasons on Main in Bangor

October 28^th: Mason’s Brewing in Brewer

Similar Purple Pinkie projects have been held by Rotary Clubs around the country, with people donating $1 to have their pinkies marked with the same purple dye used to identify children who have received the vaccine when Rotary International conducts polio immunizations. The estimated cost to immunize one child from polio is $1, and when each child gets immunized, Rotarians mark their pinkies with a topical purple dye to prevent double dosages.

Polio has not been a problem in the U.S. for many years, but this is not the case in several developing countries. In 1985, Rotary International began raising funds in an effort to eliminate Polio worldwide. By partnering with the World Health Organization and other government and private groups, Rotary International has achieved a 99 percent reduction of Polio worldwide.

The estimated cost to immunize one child from polio is $1, and when each child gets immunized, Rotarians mark their pinkies with a topical purple dye called Gentian Violet to prevent double dosages.

Through Rotary International’s efforts, polio has been eradicated in all but 2 countries worldwide, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The goal of eradicating the disease altogether grows closer with each immunization. We are “This Close”.

For more information, contact Scott Boucher at sboucher@barresibenefits.com

Visit us on Facebook: @purplepinkieproject