A campaign to end polio has also helped with local beautification efforts.
The Rotary Clubs of North Bay and Nipissing and the Rotaract Club of North Bay-Nipissing took part in the national “End Polio Now Tulip Campaign” in 2021.
The local clubs sold over 130 boxes of bulbs.
With a 2 to 1 matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the local effort resulted in $6,100 being raised.
Across Canada, nearly 4,000 boxes of bulbs were sold.
Coupled with the 2 to 1 grant, the over $61,000 raised nationally will see a total contribution of just over $185,000 in funding going towards the end polio initiative.
Several of the local boxes of tulips were purchased by the North Bay Heritage Gardeners while some were donated to the City of North Bay Parks Department and other groups, including the Dionne Quints Museum, and planted in various flower beds.
“The Rotary Club of Nipissing was proud to be part of this amazing initiative,” says Mark Lamontagne, Club President. “Not only is it helping with the eradication of Polio worldwide, but also with beautifying our community.
Planning is underway for the Fall 2022 tulip campaign.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
To learn more: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/ending-polio.
