Winter Wonderland

Regional Foundation Coordinator Chris Offer

Chris and I attended the press conference today at Richmond City Hall. The RC of Richmond Sunset were announcing their annual Winter Wonderland Christmas tree display at City Hall and raising funds for the $200 million polio challenge. The club sells 30 decorated Christmas trees that are displayed in the City Hall atrium. The trees sell for $1500.00 each. A variety of Christmas events are held with the background of the trees. It is a very magical display for the Christmas season.

If you are in metro Vancouver the display will open on Nov. 27 – it is well worth the time to take your family to Richmond City Hall to see the trees.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Chris spoke during the press conference about his personal experience with polio when his sister contracted polio at age 14. Chris was 5 years old at the time and has memories of being treated like a pariah by neighbours and recalls the quarantine notice on their front door. His sister was lucky. She was never in an iron lung.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie of Richmond thanked Rotary for what we are doing locally and internationally to eradicate polio. Mayor Brodie said, “We are so close, it’s time to put this matter to rest and finally eradicate polio from the face of the earth.”