Evanston’s Rotary International anchors the ‘why’ behind the ‘World’s Largest Polio Walk’
Kurt Wagner, a veteran sports journalist with over 12 years under his belt, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He's covered Chicago's professional sports teams for outlets like ESPN Chicago and brings a critical eye to the Evanston sports scene.
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The World s Largest Polio Walk underway in Evanston. Credit: Heidi Randhava On Saturday, World Polio Day, Rotary members and supporters came together at One Rotary Center for the Evanston edition of the World’s Largest Polio Walk. What began as a plan by Rotary leader Rick Reigner to do an awareness walk in his district of 60 clubs grew into a massive campaign with 444 Rotary clubs participating in 120 walks across 16 districts in seven Midwest states. The regional effort is on track to raise more than $1.2 million to support Rotary’s decadeslong campaign to end polio, according to Rotary International. The Gates Foundation matches eligible contributions toward polio eradication through Rotary with a 2-to-1 match. Volunteers check in participants in the World s Largest Polio Walk. Credit: Heidi Randhava Reigner welcomed the energetic crowd that gathered outside of Rotary International headquarters Saturday morning. Most wore bright red “End Polio Now” T-shirts. Rot