What is highlighted in the October 1, 2026 Rotary Club of Clayton newsletter?

The newsletter recognizes October as Polio Awareness Month and includes information about Rotary's continuing efforts to eradicate polio, upcoming club programs, volunteer opportunities, fellowship activities and important member reminders.

What is the Rotary Club of Clayton doing for Polio Awareness Month?

The club is raising awareness of Rotary's global polio eradication efforts and partnering with the Rabun Pickleball Club for Pickleball Poker for PolioPlus, with proceeds supporting Rotary's PolioPlus program.

Who is speaking at the next Rotary Club of Clayton program?

Dr. John Anderton will discuss the CDC, the current status of polio and other diseases, including measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.

What Rotary Club of Clayton volunteer opportunities are coming up?

Upcoming opportunities include meal packing for children, Stekoa Creek Park cleanups, Rotary Cooks, Community Dental service dates and food distribution.

When is Pickleball Poker for PolioPlus?

Pickleball Poker for PolioPlus will be held at the Rabun County Recreation Department outdoor pickleball courts. Two round-robin sessions will be offered from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration is $50, and participation is limited to 60 players per session.

When is the Rotary Club of Clayton October fellowship event?

The fellowship event is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Members are invited to bring goulash or soup to share and a carved gourd for the competition. Costumes are optional.

Where can members find upcoming Rotary Club of Clayton events?

Members can find upcoming meetings, service projects and club events on the Rotary Club of Clayton calendars page at claytonrotary.com/rotary-calendars/.

What items are currently needed by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia?

Needed donations include plastic grocery bags, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, soups, crackers, rice, chili and beans, pasta, pasta sauce, beef stew, canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Cash donations are also welcome.

Rotary Club of Clayton Weekly Newsletter October 1st, 2026

Rotary Club of Clayton Weekly Newsletter
Week of Thursday, October 1st, 2026
OCTOBER is Polio Awareness Month

President’s Message

Each year, World Polio Day gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to the promise Rotary made to the world that no child, anywhere, will ever again suffer the devastating effects of polio. In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to eradicate polio around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the CDC spearheaded the initiative in which Rotary International promptly joined the effort.
Polio hit the United States during the first part of the 20th century. Each summer, the virus struck without warning. Nobody knew what caused the poliovirus or how it spread. For four decades, parents in this country worried their children would get the virus. In 1952, there were nearly 58,000 cases of polio with just over 3000 of these cases resulting in death.

Today, polio is nearly nonexistent in the United States. However, this contagious virus still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and an additional dozen other countries report active outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus. Over 35 cases have been reported in September 2026, but numbers alone do not tell the whole story. Above all, polio eradication is a human endeavor — built on courage, compassion, and the belief that service can reshape the future. We remain unwavering with continued hope that one day the entire world will be polio free.
This Week’s Meeting

October 1^st, 2026

11:30 AM – Luncheon Club Meeting
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Rotary Community Room
LUNCH MENU: Fall IS IN THE AIR: Soup, Salad and Sandwiches (Chix Salad, Pimento Cheese, Ham/Turkey and Oreo Dream Dessert.

Next Week’s Program

Join us to greet Dr. John Anderton and hear about the CDC and the status of Polio and the other diseases: measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.

Special Motivational Speaker – October 29^th – NOT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
You won’t want to miss learning about the amazing journey of a woman born without arms, her achievements and a world-renowned motivational speaker. More information is coming!

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Service Above Self
Service Above Self Opportunities – WE NEED YOU!

Learn More about the role descriptions: Click Here

Reoccurring Meal Packing for KIDS After Thursday Lunch Club Meeting this week

Other Important Date for Volunteer Opportunity

Foxfire Clean-up – Wednesday. September 30^th @ 9AM-2PM at Rabun County Pavilions

Preparing for the Mountaineer Festival: Moving bleachers, installing fencing, placing tires and barrels for activities. Suggested Tools: pliers, sledgehammer gloves, long pants, sunscreen or hat

Stekoa Creek Park Clean-up October 9^th and November 13^th 10AM

Rotary Cooks October 9^th and 30^th at 5:30 PM

Community Dental: October 15, 19, & 23^rd at 8:00 AM -12:00 PM

Food Distribution October17^th @ 6:45 AM

Our Rotary Club of Clayton and Rabun Pickleball Club are teaming up for a fun day of pickleball, with all proceeds going to Rotary’s Polio Plus efforts to help end polio worldwide.
Rabun County Recreation Department Outdoor Pickleball Courts
5-Game Round Robin
Two sessions: 9:00–11:00 AM & 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Beginner through Advanced levels
Registration: $50
Maximum 60 players per session
Ready to play? Registration or Donate: Pickleball Poker for Polio Plus

Mark your calendar for a Fun Fellowship – Thursday evening, October 29th — 6:00 – 9:00 PM.
Bring your Ghoulish Goulash (or Soup to share and a Carved Gourd for a competition. Costumes Optional.

We need your feedback for a new element of Fellowship by offering Rotary Club of Clayton with Small Special-Interest Groups.
Please provide your input of interest and small group ideas at the following link:
Click Here for Survey