Polio Plus Service Project: Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
East Cobb Rotarian Brad Groff transformed a personal pilgrimage into a powerful Rotary service initiative by walking the historic Camino de Santiago in September and October 2025 to raise awareness and funds for Rotary International’s global End Polio Now campaign.
The Camino de Santiago is a centuries-old network of medieval pilgrimage routes across Europe that culminate in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Brad completed the most traveled route, the Camino Francés, covering approximately 500 miles (800 km) over several weeks. His journey began in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, crossing the rugged Pyrenees Mountains, continuing across Spain’s expansive Meseta Central, and concluding in Santiago de Compostela.
Throughout the trek, Brad proudly represented Rotary and its commitment to global health. Wearing a bright blue Rotary shirt and displaying End Polio Now pins on his backpack and hat, he served as a highly visible ambassador for the cause. Along the trail, Brad engaged fellow pilgrims from around the world in conversations about Rotary’s decades-long leadership in the global effort to eradicate polio.
Brad paired his physical journey with a focused fundraising effort using Rotary’s Raise for Rotary platform. By sharing his mission and progress with friends, fellow Rotarians, and supporters, he successfully raised more than $13,000 in contributions to Rotary International’s polio eradication initiative.
To expand the reach of the project, Brad documented his experience through monthly updates in the District 6900 newsletter and an active social media presence during the walk. These updates shared stories from the Camino, highlighted Rotary’s global impact, and encouraged ongoing engagement and donations to the fundraising campaign.