| In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes in an effort to conquer polio. A year later, five chapters were formed in Texas – the first in Bosque County on June 17.
After the Salk vaccine was declared “safe, effective and potent” to defeat polio on April 12, 1955, the March of Dimes focused its efforts on its new mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.
San Antonio, along with Columbus, Ohio, made history in 1970 by becoming the first two locations to organize a WalkAmerica event -- the first charity walk in the U.S. Today, Houston and Dallas consistently host two of the largest WalkAmerica events in the country.
In 2001, Texas became a one-chapter state; making it the second largest March of Dimes chapter in the nation. The Texas Chapter, comprised of 21 divisions, is led by a state executive committee and supported by 16 boards with 296 board members.
Hardworking, dedicated volunteers are key to the ongoing success of the March of Dimes, and the Texas Chapter is fortunate to have an abundant supply. Four Texans have received the March of Dimes Elaine Whitelaw Service Award: Dr. Leonard Graivier and Pauline Graivier (Dallas), Rick Salwen (Austin), and C. Jim Stewart III (Houston). Each year the recipient is given the honor of granting $5,000 to a local mission-oriented project of his/her choosing. These four volunteers exemplify volunteerism at its best. |
