Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio in the world for the last thirty years with stunning success, with only three countries remaining in an endemic state. Rotarians have helped to immunize over 2.5 billion children around the world. Rotarians will not stop in our efforts to eliminate this disease.
Dutch Rotarians have led a most unique program to benefit our fight. In 2013, they purchased the rights to name and develop a new variety of tulip bulbs. The idea has “blossomed” into an internationally successful fundraiser, with more than 1.5 MILLION bulbs being sold, and so far, generating more than $2 MILLION (US) to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign. To date, Switzerland, Germany, France, and the USA have joined with Holland. Canada is now in its second year.
Vesey’s Bulbs of PEI is Canada’s sole supplier of this unique bulb. Every step along the way, donors have provided such funding that over $18 from each $25 box (of 25 bulbs) goes back to Rotary International, to be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill Gates Foundation!