Editors Note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting Rotary projects around the world.
Hiking is a popular pastime in Korea, where more than one-third of citizens polled in 2019 cited sports and fitness as their prime hobby. Rotary clubs in Korea tapped into that mania for the outdoors to raise funds for End Polio Now with the “Hiking the 100 most beautiful mountains challenge” in October and November.
The event engaged 145 climbers from 74 clubs and garnered nearly $106,000 in contributions. Participants — who agreed to personally donate at least $100 each — teamed up, tackled their favorite mountains, and promoted their achievements by posting pictures and comments on social media. “It is possible to celebrate World Polio Day while following the government’s guidelines for social distancing,” noted Ju-Hwa Jeong, Rotary’s End Polio Now coordinator for Korea.