Tag: health

25.10 Megan Jackson on Big Brothers Big Sisters, Purple Pinky, Trick Or Treat, Zone Institute

Greeting Rotarians,

Megan Jackson is the Program Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico here in Los Alamos. BBBSNM creates lasting one-on-one mentoring matches between caring adults and local youth—because being Big means so much when you’re little. Megan works to connect volunteers with children who share their interests, whether it’s art, sports, or science. There are 29 active matches in Los Alamos and more youth waiting for mentors. With just four hours a month, you can change a life. You can also support their Drive for Matches Golf Tournament.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Specialist Megan Jackson with her family on vacation
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Specialist Megan Jackson with her family on vacation

Purple Pinky & Trick or Treat on Mainstreet This Friday Oct 24

Purple Pinky gives students an opportunity to participate in Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.

Our annual Purple Pinky fundraiser helps support the Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign to provide polio vaccinations and support for individuals inflicted by polio. If you have elementary school students, please send them to school on Friday, October 24 with this permission slip completed and optionally $1 to help support this mission. You can also give to our fundraiser on LosAlamosGives.org.

Trick Or Treat on Main Street attracts thousands of visitors from around northern New Mexico.

We will also be giving out candy at Trick or Treat on Main Street this Friday 4-6 PM. We hope you’ll come say hi in your costume!

Zone Institute This Week

The Rotary 26-27 Zone Institute started this week and continues through the weekend. It is packed full of opportunities to learn and meet Rotarians from throughout the American West!

Make A Difference With Los Alamos Gives

Los Alamos Gives

The Rotary Club of Los Alamos invites you to take part in three upcoming fundraisers that make a lasting difference in the world and right here at home.

Through Purple Pinky, we join Rotary International’s global effort to end polio—a disease reduced by 99.9% since 1988. On October 24, we’ll partner with Los Alamos Public Schools to help students learn about vaccines and global health. Just $1 can protect a child for life. Donate at losalamosgives.org/story/Purplepinky.

Join us on November 22 for Meals of Hope, a meal-packing event at Crossroads Bible Church (9 AM – 3 PM). With your help, we aim to raise $8,000 and pack 25,000 meals for Northern New Mexico families through The Food Depot. You can contribute or volunteer at losalamosgives.org/story/Mealsofhope.

You can also multiply your impact by supporting our Global Grant Fund, where each dollar is matched 180% by Rotary International and District 5520. This year, we’re funding medical, clean-water, and education projects that empower communities worldwide. Give today at losalamosgives.org/story/globalgrants.

Together, these fundraisers strengthen communities, improve global health, and give hope to those in need. Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word, your support fuels Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.

Join us every Tuesday at noon at the United Church, 2525 Canyon Rd, or visit rotarylosalamos.org to learn more.

Today is World Polio Day

What is polio?

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It mainly affects children under the age of 5. Polio can cause permanent paralysis and even death.

How is Rotary making a difference?

  • Collaborating with global partners to organize mass immunization drives, reaching millions of children, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
  • Raising awareness about the importance of polio vaccines, helping dispel myths and encouraging participation in vaccination campaigns.
  • Advocating to governments to ensure sustained political and financial support for eradication efforts.
  • Building infrastructure such as healthcare systems, laboratories, and rapid-response teams to detect and contain outbreaks.
  • Innovating solutions like traveling by boat, camel, or foot to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.

Our work has already made a significant impact, reducing polio cases by 99.9% since 1988.

Why do we need your help?

Even with only a few cases left, we must continue our efforts until the world is polio-free. As long as one child remains infected, children everywhere are at risk. Your donations and volunteer efforts are crucial in delivering vaccines, supporting surveillance, and providing life-saving resources.

Protecting a child from polio for life only costs $3.

How can you get involved?

  • Donate to help fund vaccines, healthcare workers, and community education.
  • Volunteer to join a local Rotary chapter and participate in vaccination efforts.
  • Raise awareness about polio eradication efforts on social media.

Together, we can make history by ending polio for good. Be part of the solution – join Rotary today! For more information, visit EndPolio.org.

  • A class of students who received their purple pinkies.
  • Service Chair James Wernicke poses with a student who received their purple pinky.
  • Club President Tim Bullock and Service Chair James Wernicke pose for a photo in between student groups.
  • Club President Tim Bullock applies purple ink to indicate a vaccinated a child.