On October 6th, the Rotary Club of Springfield, Illinois and Springfield Beer Company kicked off our October Pints for Polio fundraiser in celebration of World Polio Day on October 24th at the Springfield Beer Company’s Taproom on Wabash Avenue. We offer Special thanks to President-Elect Ashley Dillingham (image below) for taking the lead in organizing this fundraiser. 
More than 45 people joined us for a fun evening, including our club members and their guests, and members from other Springfield clubs, including Presidents, and our Assistant Governor (first image below). The evening featured sensational brisket prepared and donated by new member Paul Rice (second image below), and veggie trays and treats provided by Ashley Dillingham, a 50/50 drawing, fellowship, and a great cause. We were also honored to recognize Governor Pritzker’s proclamation declaring October 24, 2026, World Polio Day in Illinois.
It was a glorious evening of good will, good food, and all for a good cause as indicated in the images below.
A special thank-you to Ryan and Rebecca Kunken and Springfield Beer Company for donating $1 from every pint of Golden 95 Lager sold through October 24th to help Rotary eradicate polio.
Thanks to the generosity of those attending, our donations and 50/50 proceeds (image to left) raised nearly $350! And because the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches every $1 raised or donated through Rotary with $2, that $350 becomes $1,050 toward the fight to end polio. This total does not include our partners at Springfield Beer Company's contribution of $1.00 per pint of Golden 95 Lager purchased at the kick-off event through October 24, which will also be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Those who missed the kickoff, were still able to make a difference! Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported the fundraiser and continues to help Rotary work toward a polio-free-world!