The Rotary Club of Three Creeks and Lewis River Rotary Club have combined efforts to help promote COVID-19 vaccinations, while using the success of the polio vaccine as evidence.
 
The two clubs combined to pay for a billboard along the northbound side of St. John’s Boulevard, just south of NE 78th Street. The billboard’s message, “The fight to end polio is proof vaccines work. Let’s fight COVID-19 together” highlights the true success of vaccinations around the world.
 
Since 1988, Rotary has been leading the fight against polio globally. There are just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – left on the planet where polio has not been eradicated.
 
For more than three years, there have been wild polio cases in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Polio was declared officially eradicated from Nigeria in 2020. Through June 10, 2021, there was just one case in each nation.
 
“There is clear evidence that vaccines work,” said Rotary Club of Three Creeks President Kelley Campbell. “And Rotary is one of the organizations behind that. Like the billboard says, the near eradication of polio is proof that vaccines work. As Rotarians, we are proud to be a part of it, and if we can help even just a little bit, to end the COVID-19 pandemic, then we’ve done our job.”
 
Lewis River Club President Linda Allen agreed.
 
“Our two clubs are so proud to do something to try and make a difference in ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” Allen said. “Rotary has made a difference around the world tackling polio. We just felt like this was a great opportunity for Rotary to take a lead in making a difference here at home knocking down COVID-19.”
 
There is already evidence that COVID-19 vaccinations are making a difference. The “fourth surge” in Washington state during May was short-lived and case numbers continue to fall in Washington. This progress has given the state cause to re-open by the end of June 2021.
 
Visibility of this billboard is 40,000-45,000 cars per week.

CLARK COUNTY, Wash. – The Rotary Club of Three Creeks went unintimidated by the pandemic during the 2020-21 fiscal year.
 
And the club – less than five years old – granted almost $45,000 to local and international non-profits that serve children, veterans, hungry and homeless over the last year.
 
“This club makes me proud every day,” said Club President Kelley Campbell. “Not only do we have a passion for serving those in our community who we can help, but ‘Three Creekers’ are diligent about making the most of our opportunity to raise funds that we can grant to non-profits who serve those we – as a club – think we can impact most.”
 
The financial gifts awarded by the club in 2020-21 include:

• Three $7,000 grants to help alleviate food insecurity (to Clark County Food Bank, FISH of Vancouver and North County Community Food Bank)
• $6,500 to Clark College Foundation (earmarked to the early childhood center)
• $5,000 to seed funding for a future Rotary Club of Three Creeks international service project
• $2,500 to Clark Public Utilities Stream Team to aid in restoration of Salmon Creek
• $1,500 to Innovative Services NW to help fund improvements to the early childhood learning facility
• $1,500 to Council for the Homeless
• $1,500 to Operation Helping our Heroes serving veterans
• $1,100 in partnership with the Lewis River Rotary Club to purchase a billboard on St. John’s Road in Vancouver promoting Covid vaccinations
• $1,000 Southwest Washington LULAC for a farmers market program
• $1,000 to Shelter Box for emergency shelter kits
• $850 to United Way of Lane County for wildfire relief
• $627 to purchase new stuffed animals for children in the pediatrics unit at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center during Christmas.
• $500 to Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Washington for a literacy program
• $250 for community service project related expenses

 
The $45,000 that were disbursed in 2020-21 were raised during the club’s 2020 Fundraiser, Dancing with the Local Stars, which proved to be the final large-scale in-person event before the pandemic forced cancellation of such events for the rest of the year. Cyndi Holloway of Waste Connections was the Dancing with the Local Stars Grand Champion, raising nearly $20,000 to set a new fundraising record for the Rotary fundraiser.
 
Club members also “passed the hat” at their May 20 meeting, raising $300 to contribute to a fundraiser for Martha’s Pantry.
 
The club also completed a tremendously successful pivot to its annual fundraiser during the pandemic. When dancing wasn’t possible, the club changed its fundraiser to a virtual event called Dining with the Local Stars – a competitive cooking show where nine well-known local business and community leaders cooked and raised money in a competitive format. Gaynors Automotive Vice President Tommy Gaynor was named Grand Champion after raising more than $14,000. He also won the cooking competition. Dining with the Local Stars raised $55,000 that will be disbursed to community non-profits in the 2021-22 Rotary fiscal year.
 
An announcement of the club’s 2022 fundraiser will be made in the fourth quarter of this year.