Posted by Barbara Fisk, Gananoque
 
As with most clubs in the District the Rotary Club of Gananoque was keen to find something meaningful, helpful, and safe to do for the community during these trying times.  They were fortunate to come across this fabulous End Polio Now Tulip campaign from colleagues in another District. 
The vote was unanimous – let’s try it! It looks great!  And Great it is!
The End Polio Now Tulips began with Dutch Rotarians as the purchase of rights to name and sell a new variety of tulip during a 2013 charity auction.  It has since blossomed into a continuing and internationally successful fundraiser.  In the first few years of launching this initiative, over 1.5 million tulips were sold generating approximately $2,000,000 USD for fight polio!  Thanks to continued efforts, the program spread across Europe and is now in its second year in Canada!
 
Fast forward to Gananoque – the club printed up the back-story and an order form, and got it out to the community through friends, radio, Facebook, and the newspaper.  A superb article by our resident reporter Lorraine Payette really spurred on sales and the phone rang off the hook.  The club’s modest expectation of 25 or 50 boxes was being blown away!
 
By order deadline of September 25th, the club had 108 orders.  Each box contains 25 beautiful red/yellow End Polio Now Tulips!  The local Home Hardware (same corporate colours!), Horticultural Society, some Bed and Breakfasts, and many community members and Rotary supporters; some from as far away as Ottawa and even Michigan, were all involved.  The club agreed to pay the shipping, taxes, and provided little garden stakes with the EPN logo & Gananoque’s name, for each order.  The orders were easily and safely delivered to local porches.  For each $25 spent, approximately $18.25 is sent directly to the Polio Plus campaign!  In Gananoque’s case, this resulted in just under $6000, which is almost the same as the number of children that will be vaccinated!  What a super satisfying, successful, first year project!  The club hopes to repeat the project with even bigger sales next year!  What perfect timing for October Polio Month! 
 
For more information, please contact Barbara Fisk, President-Elect RC of Gananoque – 613-382-2745