By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Rotary District 6880 Governor Sam Adams visited the Rotary Club of Chilton County as a part of his personal campaign to raise money to eradicate polio.

Adams plans to visit every club in the district and run two miles.

At each club, Adams is asking each club member to donate $2 to the organization’s Polio Plus campaign.

“For every dollar you donate, $2 is matched by Bill and Melinda Gates,” Adams said. “They thought this (polio eradication) was such a big deal, they donated money to stop polio around the world.”

Adams’ personal campaign was inspired by a Rotarian from Uganda, Sam Owori, who started 80 clubs in his country. Adams said he met Owori at a District Governor’s meeting in Atlanta. As incoming Rotary International president, Owori challenged those present to concentrate on funding polio vaccinations and increasing club membership. Adams said Owori died before he could fill the president role.

“That’s why I’m doing this because I’m honoring him,” Adams said.

He said Afghanistan and Pakistan still have cases of this potentially serious communicable disease. If someone with polio travels to another country and gets near people who have not been immunized the polio could spread, Adams said.

“It is a very painful disease, but you can stop it,” Adams said.

Adams said he had been in Rotary for 30 years.

“I am here today to say thank you for the hard work you all are doing,” Adams said.

Adams and Club President Gordon Swenson recognized member Brandy Clackley as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Swenson said Clackley “has shown the ability to put a lot of work, a lot of energy” into supporting club projects.

“Whenever you ask her, she is willing to go the extra mile,” Swenson said.

“We appreciate what you have done for us,” Swenson told Clackley.

The Paul Harris Fellow award is presented to Rotarians who have donated a total of $1,000 to the Rotary International Foundation.