The Rotary Club of Eugene Airport was challenged to match the penny drive by two fourth grade classes at Irving Elementary School in the Eugene Oregon Bethel School District this morning for Polio Plus. The students and their school's parent organization had raised $500 in just over two weeks. This followed an assembly with the two fourth grade classes at which Eugene Airport Club members, Mary Lou Finigan and Ed McDunn, had told their personal survivor stories from their battle with childhood polio.
Two fourth graders, their mothers, and their teacher, Erin Moss, attended the club meeting today to challenge Rotarians to match their total. The Eugene Airport Rotarians matched it, more than twice, for a donation of $1,016.38 . Combined with the students' $500, the Rotary Foundation will receive a check next week for $1,516.38 for the Polio Plus challenge. Earlier in the year, club members had raised $725 through community and personal donations. Combined with the challenge match, Polio Plus will receive $2,241.38. But, according to President-Elect Glen Martz, "We're not done yet, club members will be selling Polio Roses just prior to Mother's Day. It just keeps getting better."
