Rotary Clubs around the world are holding events leading up to World Polio Day later this month, including locally.

A Polio Plus Luncheon is being held today (Friday) at the Davedi Club from 11:30 am to 1 pm.

Spokesperson Bill Hagborg says they’re close to conquering the disease, but more work needs to be done. “Basically it’s 99.9 per cent eradicated.”

But, he says there are a couple of countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, that are being focused on.

Hagborg says there’s a need to continue to fundraise to help those two countries, but to also look at monitoring and follow-up treatments in other countries that have recently been taken off the list of active cases.

He says Rotary is working with a number of partners including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Centres for Disease Control and a funding partner is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“For every dollar that we raise for this initiative, they will match it with two dollars, up to $35-million a year”, Hagborg said.

Tickets to today’s luncheon are $30 and are available at the door.

 

Laurentian Ski Hill‘s Apres Ski Party goes tonight (Friday) at the Grande downtown.

The fundraiser is benefiting the ski hill, which is celebrating it’s 90th anniversary.

Tickets are $125 with entertainment, a raffle and one person will get a two year lease on a Jeep Wrangler.

 

The Learning Partnership is once again hosting a free “Learning Together” conference for families with children six years of age and under.

The 11th annual event takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Alqonquin.

Co-organizer Karen Cobb says the early learning activities will highlight the theme of “Talk, Read, Sing and Play… Everyday”.

She says it gives parents, caregivers, grandparents and others access to resources that can be used in the home or in the community to support a child’s early learning.

Activities include a mini-triathlon, numeracy and literacy, science and robotics, nutritional workshops and much more.

Once again the event is free.

Last year the event saw over 300 families take part.

 

A live auction to raise money for the Powassan Library expansion is being held tomorrow (Saturday) at the Golden Sunshine Club in Powassan.

There are dozens of items including 400 litres of furnace oil, a load of gravel, desktop computer, art, local activities, an Aaron Loup signed baseball and more.

The viewing goes 11 am to noon, followed by the auction.

 

Sunday is a big day for the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

That’s when they’re hosting their 10th annual Our Hospital Walk/Run.

Events include the hospital mile, 5km, 6km trail run, or the 8km event.

Registration goes at 8 am on Sunday.

The event helps provide advanced medical equipment and supports program needs at the hospital.