WHEREAS the Ontario March of Dimes was established in 1951 to fund research and provide medical assistance to individuals with polio, a highly contagious, disabling and sometimes fatal disease.

Mothers across the country were determined to find a polio vaccine and canvassed door-to-door, raising funds one dime at a time. They became known as the Marching Mothers and their determination inspired and motivated the entire community.

In the mid 1950s the efforts of Ontario March of Dimes and Marching Mothers had a direct impact on the discovery of the Salk vaccine, which helped eradicate the disease in North America.

With the threat of polio greatly diminished, Ontario March of Dimes grew into a multi-service organization that shifted its mandate to help provide a variety of much-needed programs and services to people with disabilities.

March of Dimes is now the largest charitable rehabilitation organization in Ontario and helps close to 40,000 people annually in communities across the province.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Miller, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as "March of Dimes Month" in the City of Toronto and encourage everyone to support the annual door-to-door campaign that raises funds to enhance the independence of people with physical disabilities.