In recognition of Veteran’s Day, the ceremonies opened with two Rotary veterans of World War II posting the colors, and a thank you to Rotarian Kelly Morris for his leadership of the Flight of Honor program.

The focus of the evening was inspiring members to continue donations to the Foundation to support its goal of raising the $200 million needed to eradicate polio worldwide. District Governor Firoz Peers noted, “Rotary’s good works are possible only because of our hard work and exceptional generosity. Rotary saves lives, improves health, reduces poverty and brings dignity to those less fortunate than us.”

Peera noted that 209 members in the district have become Paul Harris Fellows in the past year, raising the total to 1,483 – just over half of the total membership. Sixty-one members have written the Foundation into their wills. In addition, there are 70 Major Donors in the district who have contributed $10,000 to the Foundation – one of whom has contributed $500,000.

Peera acknowledged a difficult economy for Foundation fundraising, but  stated, “Rotarians know that’s the time when other people need help the most.”

The importance of the anti-polio effort was personified by the first speaker of the evening, Millie Cox, the director of international studies at Charlotte Country Day School and activist in many area organizations that promote international understanding.

Cox contracted polio as a child in 1953, and described the fearful times it caused herself and her family and personal pain she endured from the virus and her physical therapy to overcome it. But she said, “I feel blessed every day.”

Her blessings included a family that went to great expense to enroll her in a recovery program at Warm Springs, Ga., an uplifting facility where she met children from Brazil who sparked her interest in international affairs.

Her parents and a teacher who also had polio made sure she did her exercises every day, a regimen that limited her time in a wheelchair to four years and saved her legs from atrophy. She ended up graduating from Charlotte Country Day School, marrying her husband, having three children, and working at a rewarding job. “I’ve had a wonderful life, and I thank you Rotarians for what you’re doing to eradicate polio. Let’s eradicate this virus and get it off the planet!”

Her inspiring remarks led to a standing ovation from the crowd, and District Governor Peera presented her with a Paul Harris Fellowship.

The keynote speaker for the evening was 2001-2002 Rotary International President Rick King, who presented entertaining remarks about the theme he chose for his presidential year, “Mankind Is Our Business.” He assured Rotarians that “the more you give, the more you get,” in describing his encounters during travels around the world with needy people who have received Rotary philanthropy. He stated that every new Paul Harris Fellowship provides funds for Rotary projects abroad and in America that help four people sustain their lives.

King concluded, “A Paul Harris Fellowship is not an end, it’s a beginning. It’s a blessing to support Rotary. If the good Lord blesses you every day with prosperity your work isn’t done. In the words of a poet, “The child cannot wait. We cannot answer tomorrow. His name is today.”

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