#33 A Party, Polio, and Pleasant Surprises

Generosity and compassion are the heart and soul of my dear friends. Sixty-five extraordinary people arrived to offer their help with my goal of raising $600. Not only did these friends show up in droves, but they came with checks in hand to donate a grand total of over a thousand dollars. Was I taken aback by these magnanimous gifts? No, because that is who they are--caring and passionate human beings. Was I dumbstruck by the amount raised? Absolutely.

When I wrote the original goal, I had not aligned myself with a charity that was near and dear to me until I read about the sixty cent (sixty being the magical number) cost of a polio vaccine that would protect a child for life from the crippling disease. Now with this fun-loving, partying group supporting Rotary International's campaign to eradicate polio along with the Gates Foundation matching the donation, over 4000 children will be inoculated.

One child at a time, one disease at a time, one step at a time. Amazing what can happen when you start the march. Thank you, benevolent friends; you have passed it forward.