Dedicated to enriching the lives of children with physical or developmental special needs and their families, Variety helps children gain confidence, independence and access by funding mobility and other enabling equipment. Speakers Dua Vang-Ramirez and Holly Nelson described the “pure unhindered freedom” of riding a bike for the first time. Founded in 1935, the organization serves more than 1,500 families in Wisconsin and assisted more than 241,000 children with special needs. Our Rotary president’s own father has volunteered the organization. Variety has installed stairlifts, ramps and provided adaptive bikes, and has partnered with bike shops, mechanics and mobility companies to furnish needed equipment. Donations, volunteers and ongoing support is welcomed. “These children strive to not be judged or looked at,” said Nelson. “The joy on their faces is priceless.”

Polio Update report for this week indicates that there have been two (2) cases of wild poliovirus reported, one each in Afghanistan (Jan 15th) and Pakistan (Feb 10th). Although there is fighting ongoing between the two countries, authorities are working hard to maintain their planned vaccination scheduling.

And we will soon be hearing more about World Polio Day 2026 project, the "World's Largest Polio Walk". It is scheduled to happen simultaneously in all clubs in the Zone, beginning at 10:00 CDT on Saturday, October 24th, 2026. Clubs doing other fundraisers are invited to add a Walk component to their event, if desired, and clubs that have not started planning their fundraising for WPD can easily set up a walk, as graphics and other materials are available.