Maysville High School Students Fight to End Polio

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – While major strides have been made in the fight
against polio, the disease is still present in three nations. A group
of area high school students have done their part to end polio
through an annual fundraiser. Members of the Maysville High School
Interact Club sold Christmas wreaths throughout the community and
were able to donate $400 to Polio Plus, a Rotary Program. Lauren
Pickrell, Vice President of Interact Club, says the group works with
the Rotary Club and other foundations on the project.

“We do the wreath
sale annually; so everyone participates and we have to sell at least
two items—and it helps with the eradication of polio. The Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation matches a check that we split and it goes to
the polio.”

Although polio has
been eradicated on a nearly worldwide scale, the disease hit close to
home just a few decades ago. Autumn Gamble, Member of Interact Club,
says her family has been touched by polio.

“Not so much
anymore, but even 30 years ago there was a huge impact on it. My
grandfather actually had polio and he died when my father was 14. So,
it isn’t something that happened a hundred years ago—it’s two
generations above us, if that. And so, it’s really something that
our parents and our grandparents—they remember when this was a
thing so people are more inclined to get involved because they
remember what it was like and they want to help.”

Interact Club is a
product of Rotary Club and includes Maysville High School students of
all ages.