Rotary’s global mission carried out right here at home

 The Huntley Rotary Club`s belief in `Service Above Self` has led its members to help people locally and internationally.

Huntley Rotary is part of Rotary International, the oldest service club in the world, with more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 160 countries.

`PolioPlus is the big fundraiser this year for Rotary International,` said Pat Jagman, president of Huntley Rotary. `We would like to eradicate polio throughout the world.`

Rotary International stated that `because there is no cure for polio, the best protection is prevention. For as little as 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life.`

For people who want to contribute to the worldwide cause of eradicating polio, Jagman said Huntley Rotary is selling `End Polio Now` stickers for $1 each.

But for Huntley Rotary, there`s an additional cause closer to home.

The current fundraiser involves the sale of 2008-09 Entertainment Books for $20 each. The books offer savings on groceries, hotels, movie tickets, golfing, car washes, oil changes, fast food, haircuts, rental cars and other items.

According to Huntley Rotary, the books are available anytime through the holidays, and coupons are valid through Nov. 1, 2009.

Proceeds will help support the Grafton Township Food Pantry and the Salvation Army.

Some of the money raised by Huntley Rotary also goes to its annual donation of dictionaries to all third-grade pupils in Huntley Consolidated School District 158.

`We donated 840 dictionaries this year on Nov. 18,` said Jagman. `This is our fourth year of donating dictionaries.`

Huntley Rotary also will give out scholarships to three Huntley High School students in the spring of 2009.

In addition, Huntley Rotary annually helps an exchange student from another country.

`Caroline Krogh is a 16-year-old student from Denmark,` Jagman said. `She came here in August and will leave in July. She is currently a student at Huntley High School.`

Krogh is being sponsored by Huntley Rotary and a Rotary Club in Denmark. She will be living with three different families during her time in the United States.

`She gets the chance to see what life is like in different areas,` Jagman said.

Huntley Rotary held its first organizational meeting in 1999.

Its first local project was to light the flagpole at James C. Dhamer Town Square in the Huntley downtown area.

Jagman remembers when Huntley Rotary installed signs near all District 158 schools.

`The signs remind people to drive carefully,` Jagman said.

To purchase `End Polio Now` stickers, call Jagman at (847) 669-3333, or send an e-mail to pjagman@mchenry savings.com.