For the past five years, the Puerto Peñasco Rotary Club (CR Mar de Peñasco, A..C) has joined efforts across the globe to commemorate October 24th, World Polio Day. Eradicating polio worldwide has been one of the pillars of Rotary International since 1985. On August 25th of this year, the entire continent of Africa was declared free of wild polio, making Afghanistan and Pakistan the final frontiers where polio remains endemic. The importance of this global effort is so immense that Time magazine named Rotarian Dr. Tunji Funsho, a cardiologist based in Lagos, Nigeria, one of Time’s 100 most influential people of the year!
Locally, the “World’s Greatest Meal” annual fundraising dinner to contribute to Rotary’s ongoing efforts across the globe has been a fun time for gathering with friends, sharing information about community efforts and achievements of the local Rotary Club, plus to learn more about the broader activities of Polio Plus. Amidst the current climate of Covid, this year’s event is a bit different. Yet, all are invited to take part in the evening with a delicious meal (paella) to share from the comfort of your own home!
If you aren’t in Puerto Peñasco in person, you are invited to sponsor a meal (each dish serves 2) in giving back even further to the community! The idea in sponsoring a plate or two is that Rotary Club members will deliver these meals to local organizations, such as the Fire Department, Red Cross, General Hospital, and others who have been (and continue to be) such an important part in helping Puerto Peñasco through the grueling months of Covid challenges.
Think of it as giving back twice, as you’d be helping out the local Rotary Club along with providing a delicious meal to a front line worker!
How do I get and/or sponsor a ticket?
You’re in luck! You can contact Sami directly here at RockyPoint360 info@rockypoint360.com and/or drop a line to the Rotary Club at clubrotariopuertopenasco@gmail.com Tickets are $20 US per dish (serves 2) (or 400 pesos) If you’re in town on Oct. 24th, deliveries will be between 4 pm – 7 pm, so be sure to indicate if you’d prefer earlier or later. If you’re not in town, you can let us know if you have someone locally you’d like to receive the meal, or we’ll add your sponsorship to a list for our front line workers and community support groups. It’s that simple!
What type of meal? What’s Paella?
This year, chef and local Rotarian Jerry Cañez will prepare an exquisite paella, accompanied with salad and bread for the event. Pronounced pa-A-ya, paella is a traditional Spanish dish popular across the globe and essentially a combination of yellow saffron-scented rice with various types of seafood, chorizo, and vegetables. Of course there are plenty of protein combinations you may come across in your travels, but tonight’s (well, that night’s) fare will showcase the rich seafood of our port along with chicken and Spanish chorizo. Yummmm! Each dish serves 2 (comes with salad and bread)
Entertainment? More info?
This year, we invite folks to follow us on October 24th from 4 pm – 7 pm (Pacific Time) via Facebook at Club Rotario Mar de Peñasco, A.C. for tidbits on Polio Plus, ongoing work of the local Rotary Club, as well as music to go along with your meal. While we may not be together, we can all share in the moment!
What else does the Rotary Club do locally?
Chartered in 2014, the local Rotary Club (CR Mar de Peñasco) has been an active community agent in promoting health programs via yearly dental and vision clinics through partners (Alas de Amor and VistAmerica), supporting schools by acquiring school buses and supplies with help from international clubs (particularly from AZ and Utah), acquiring ambulances for the local dialysis center and Red Cross, assisting the local Fire Department via partners in acquiring an ambulance and fire trucks for the local fleet, and developing a purified water plant in conjunction with OOMAPAS to provide drinking water to public schools, among other projects.
This year, the local Rotary Club acquired an amphibious wheelchair to strengthen efforts of the local Clean Beach Committee and Tourism Auxiliary Unit, and is the international partner on a program to donate much needed medical equipment to 5 General Hospitals across the state of Sonora. Due to the challenge of Covid-19, since March the local Rotary Club has worked closely with front line workers and health institutions in order to help respond to the ongoing need for personal protection equipment. These efforts continue today, along with significant donations of supplies together with Rocky Point Medical Clinics, and sewing of medical gowns, boots, and caps by individuals at the local Social Rehabilitation Center.
Join in the World’s Greatest Meal – Paella contra la Polio!
In this crazy time of coming together yet while still apart, you can be part of continuing to strengthen efforts to assist locally, regionally, and across the globe – topped with a delicious dish of paella brought to your door! The local Rotary Club would like to thank the community of Puerto Peñasco, visitors and residents alike, for the ongoing support of its fundraising efforts! ¡Buen provecho! Reserve tickets: clubrotariopuertopenasco@gmail.com
