As the Inland Empire Chairperson for the March of Dimes’ 2009 March for Babies, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Young led students, parents, employees of public education and residents across the county to participate in this year’s March held on April 25th at Riverside Community College to raise funds to help prevent birth defects and provide needed medical services to infants.

photo of Kenn Young leading RCOE employees in the 2009 March for Babies The March of Dimes was originally founded in 1938 to combat polio through research development and to care for those suffering from the disease. The effort called for all Americans to contribute a dime to fight polio. In 1955, the March of Dimes announced that Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Jonas Salk from the University of Michigan had developed a safe and effective polio vaccine. With the success of the polio vaccine in dramatically reducing the incidence of polio, the March of Dimes shifted their mission to serve mothers and infants to prevent birth defects and premature births, and reduce infant mortality.

photo of two RCOE employees walking in the 2009 March for Babies In a recent letter to all employees of the Riverside County Office of Education, Superintendent Young wrote, "We are working to raise as much funds through donations and sponsors as possible for this vital cause. We want to have a significant K-12 presence on the April 25th primary March at RCC. As an alternative, schools may chose to organize a March at their individual site on a day and time of their choosing and encourage student/staff participation. Through the March and other local district organized events, the March of Dimes has set a goal for the Riverside County Office of Education and our 23 school districts to raise a total of $50,000 this year."

photo of RCOE employees walking in the 2009 March for Babies The primary Marches took place at three locations throughout the Inland Empire on Saturday, April 25; Riverside Community College, Victorville City Hall, and Barstow Junior High. On Sunday, May 3, an additional March was held at Loma Linda University.

If your organization would like to participate in this vital cause, please contact Rita Rogers, Division Director for the March of Dimes Inland Empire Division, (951) 892-7922 or rrogers@marchofdimes.com.

Please join us in helping to prevent birth defects and premature births, and reduce infant mortality.

Sincerely,

Kenneth M. Young
Riverside County
Superintendent of Schools