CHICO, Calif. - The Rotary Club of Oroville is gearing up for "Purple Pinky Night Out" on Wednesday, Oct. 24  to raise money for the effort to eradicate Polio from around the world. Wednesday is also World Polio Day. 

Since 1985 Rotary International has contributed more than $1.7 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to tackle the disease through the mass evacuation of children, more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In 1985 there were 350,000 polio cases worldwide and this year there have been just 13.   

Polio is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease. It can strike any age but mainly affects children under five. 

One way volunteers used to identify which children had been vaccinated was to paint the fingernail on their pinky finger purple.  So, in Oroville, people are being encouraged to do the same on Wednesday to promote awareness.   

Several Salons have collection containers for donations through Friday. Every $1 donated will be matched by Rotary District 5180. Plus, the bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $2 for every $1 donated.

Participating salons include Supercuts, 2110 Salon, Angelina and the Hairman, Live Wise, Great Clips, The Color Room, Pink Cheeks Tanning Salon and Express Yourself Salon and Spa.

Wednesday night from 6 - 9 p.m. a number of Oroville restaurants and businesses will have Rotary volunteers as staff to also help raise money. Participating restaurants include Applebee's, Smart & Final, Food Maxx, Lakeside Market, Round Table Pizza and Purple Line Winery.

For more infrormation about donating visit www,.myrotary.org. And for more information about World Polio Day visit www.endpolio.com.