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Six-Year-Old March of Dimes Volunteer Gives Bush First Dollar for His "Help Afghan Children" Drive
Washington, Oct. 12, 2001— Justin Washington, the six-year-old National Ambassador for the March of Dimes, gave President George W. Bush the first $1 contribution to his new campaign to help Afghan children at the March of Dimes volunteer leadership conference here today.
"In 1938, in the course of four months, Americans sent 2.6 million dimes to the White House, beginning a campaign that eventually resulted in the end of polio," said President George W. Bush, referring to March of Dimes Founder President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s successful efforts to raise funds to defeat a then nationwide epidemic of poliomyelitis. Justin met President Bush for the first time last July at a March of Dimes meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.
"I know we need to lend a hand to the children who live a world away," the President said, citing the March of Dimes conference as the appropriate place to announce the "America’s Fund for Afghan Children" initiative.
"During the last month, Americans have been extraordinarily generous in their giving of time and money. We will face many needs and challenges at home. And that’s why Americans should continue supporting community-based organizations like the March of Dimes, which is doing so much good all across the country," the President added in his first speech to a non-relief non-profit since the Sept. 11 tragedy.
"Today you’re advocating better access to prenatal care, expanded health care coverage, and a greater awareness of proper nutrition and immunization," he said. "These efforts are saving the lives of women and children and advancing the frontiers of medicine."
Justin, the 2001-2002 National Ambassador, was born four months premature and survived through medical advances supported by the March of Dimes. He and his mother, Dorenda Washington, reside in Miami, Florida, where she works for American Airlines. Justin’s father, Kraig Washington, is currently serving on the U.S. Coast Guard.
"We are so proud that the President is calling on our successful campaign that conquered polio as a prototype for his humanitarian effort to help the children in Afghanistan," Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, said. "There is no more important mission than helping children, whether here in America or abroad. That’s what the March of Dimes has been dedicated to for the past 60 years."
The President spoke to hundreds of March of Dimes volunteer leaders and staff nationwide gathered at the Foundation’s annual conference.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs or research, community services, education and advocacy. For more information call 1-888-MODIMES.
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