It might turn out to be the donation that will finally, once and for all, eliminate polio from the world.
Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver donated $250,000 to Rotary International for the organization’s campaign that has over the past three decades immunized millions of children against the crippling disease. Their donation will be matched at a ratio of 2-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a combined contribution of $750.000.
At the cost of 50 cents per immunization, another 1.5 million children will be immunized.
“We are proud to be a small part of the large and worthy effort made by Rotary throughout the world,” said Delores Barr Weaver.
The announcement was made Monday to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
Club past President Tommy Grimes said the promise made 30 years ago to eradicate polio has resulted in newly reported cases dropping from 350,000 per year when Rotary’s effort began to only 34 this year.
Twenty-eight new cases were reported in Pakistan, a 75 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Nigeria just passed the one-year mark with no new cases reported and after six new cases were reported almost a year ago in Afghanistan, none were diagnosed in the past six months.
“In October, this money is going to Pakistan to inoculate children,” said Grimes.
Also on the club’s agenda was a visit by Mayor Lenny Curry, who was touting the budget he presented to City Council.
Curry said he and his staff put together a balanced budget in 30 days after he was inaugurated with “no accounting gimmicks and no sleight of hand.”
He said the budget addresses the issues facing Jacksonville such as violent crime, public safety, infrastructure in need of repair and intervention and prevention programs for children.
“Many problems we face today weren’t of our making, but they’re ours to own and solve,” said Curry.
In terms of economic development, Curry said Florida is branded “The Jobs State,” but no city has yet taken advantage of the state campaign.
He said his job is to work with state government and the JAX Chamber to leave behind the “dartboard approach” to attracting new business. Curry is in favor of a more focused effort to identify companies and industries and then use existing incentive programs to recruit them to Jacksonville.
“Simply put, Jacksonville is back in business,” he said.
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