Purple Pinkies for World Polio Day

That's right, you, yes you, can have your pinkie painted purple in honor of World Polio Day, this week in Presque Isle.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are joining forces to celebrate World Polio Day on Wednesday and Thursday, October 23rd and 24th, in a big way – presenting two days’ worth of activities meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money -- $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.

Together, they will host a special community kick-off on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center.  The community is invited to learn more about World Polio Day and polio eradication efforts during the program.  This event is free and open to the public.

The very next day, organizers and volunteers plan to “paint” the city purple when they present the Purple Pinkie Project. Volunteers will be on hand on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the UMPI Campus Center, and also at 10 other sites throughout Presque Isle, including:

• TAMC
• Northern Maine Community College
• MMG Insurance
• the Aroostook Centre Mall
• Graves Shop ‘N Save
• Bradley’s Citgo
• Maine Public Service
• Star City Coffee

For just $1, volunteers will paint your pinkie purple to help raise money for polio eradication. A purple pinkie serves as a symbol for one polio immunization. Funds raised will go toward Rotary International’s End Polio Now efforts.

Last year's event saw around 1,000 people participate and initially raised $1,250. But an anonymous donation of $1,000 pushed the fundraising total to well above $2,000.

So get out and get your pinkie painted purple this Thursday in Presque Isle!