The March of Dimes

The March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP) on January 3, 1938, as a response to epidemics of poliomyelitis (polio) sweeping the country.  Roosevelt was himself paralyzed as a result of polio.  From those earliest days, the foundation was an alliance between scientists working in their laboratories and volunteers, who raised money to support research, education and help polio victims and their families.  Basil O’Connor, an attorney and a close associate of President Roosevelt, helped establish the foundation.  He became its president in 1938, a position he held for more than three decades.  His first task was to create a network of local chapters that could raise money and deliver aid—more than 3,100 county chapters were established during his tenure.

After the eradication of polio, the March of Dimes switched to its present day mission, fighting birth defects, low birth weight, and infant mortality.  The Jacksonville Fire Fighters assist the March of Dimes by raising money and participating in the annual "March For Babies" campaign.

Visit the March of Dimes website.

March of Dimes PSA

Future Events

The 2010 Jacksonville Fire Fighter March for Babies Team