Polio Fighters & Wine Lovers: A Fundraiser for EndPolio
Sunday, October 26, 2025
The Rotary Club of Crystal City-Pentagon recently gathered for a memorable fundraising evening in support of Rotary's EndPolio Now campaign. Rotarian and Past President Matt Leavitt and his wife Maria hosted a joyful Polio Day fundraiser and wine tasting at their McLean, Virginia home, welcoming more than 60 Rotarians and friends.Guests arrived to find a display reminding them of the real-world logistics behind global eradication efforts, including an actual blue cooler used in a National Immunization Day campaign and a vial of expired polio vaccine. The fundraiser had a fun twist courtesy of the club's teenage volunteers, who were on hand to paint willing guests' pinkie fingernails purple (the universal symbol of a child who has received the polio vaccine), with stickers available for the less adventurous.
The evening drew an international crowd of Rotarians and community members. About a third of attendees were not Rotarians, making it a wonderful opportunity for members to share what the organization means to them. The four-way test was recited in French and in English before Franck, a retired French chef and friend of the club, led the group through an elegant wine tasting accompanied by a beef bourguignon he prepared himself.
The evening featured stories about Rotary’s impact in eradicating polio, inspiring guests to dig deeper into their pockets with a silent auction and direct donations. By combining good wine with a powerful cause, Matt and Maria created a memorable evening that celebrated fellowship and furthered Rotary’s mission: one glass, one gift, and one step closer to a polio?free world.