In a new twist on fundraising, local Rotary clubs are asking supporters to open their desktops rather than their wallets.

Through a partnership with the networking website Stik.com, Rotary clubs around the world, including the Macomb Rotary Club and Sterling Heights Rotary Club, have started the Pennies for Polio campaign.

Set to run through Dec. 31, the campaign was created to raise funds and awareness for End Polio Now, the Rotary's ongoing effort to eradicate polio worldwide. But rather than asking supporters to contribute dollars from their own pockets, the Rotary is asking supporters instead to sign on to Stik.com.

In return for recommendations and reviews through the site, Stik.com has pledged to donate up to $1 million to End Polio Now through 2011. 

“The money is donated from an outside source, that’s the beauty of this,” said SHRC President Nick Casteel. “Instead of us reaching into our own pockets, which we do day in day out, all you have to do is put a name out there, and each one you do, a penny goes to the cause. Stik.com is just awesome to have partnered with us.”

For Stik.com co-founder Nathan Labenz, the partnership was instinctive.

“At the end of the day, there seemed to be such a natural fit between the club and the ethos of our site that we felt comfortable funding the drive,” he said.

Tied to Facebook, Stik.com connects consumers, service providers and business professionals through its online recommendations and reviews.

Whether or not you are a Rotary member, anyone can support the Pennies for Polio campaign. To do so, visit stik.com/rotary.

Here’s how it works:

Sign-Up: Click here to build your Stik.com professional profile. Be sure to credit your local Rotary, be it the Sterling Heights, Macomb or other.

Request Recommendations: Click here to request recommendations from your friends, family, past clients and fellow Rotarians (You can also do this in the sign-up process). The more recommendations you receive, the more money Stik.com donates to End Polio Now.

Spread the Word: Share this effort with your network. The more people involved with the cause, the bigger impact we can make to eradicate polio worldwide.

"The Macomb Rotary Club is proud to be a partner in the effort to eradicate polio worldwide,” said MRC President Jim Corbett. “Our ongoing efforts in working with local Macomb volunteers and corporations has been shown to be making a direct impact on polio worldwide. We hope that others will join us in our efforts.”

The Pennies for Polio campaign will run through the end of 2011.