Walk America now March for Babies

For the next four months you may see some deputy sheriff’s sporting stubble on their faces. This isn’t a new fad, but a fundraiser within the Sheriff’s Office for the March of Dimes. For the second year in a row, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar has allowed employees to sport beards with a donation of $50 each to the March of Dimes. The fund raiser will go through January 31st.

Last year 51 deputies and civilians grew beards raising $2,550 for the March of Dimes. So far this year, 87 folks have signed up raising over $4,300 for the campaign with more signing up every day. The only requirement established for the beards is that they shall be neatly trimmed.

The March of Dimes WalkAmerica campaign has been renamed to March for Babies. “The name of our event has changed, but our mission stays the same—working towards the day when every baby is born healthy,” said Sheriff Shoar, the March for Babies Chair Emeritus. “We hope the new name will bring more people on board to help make that day a reality.”

“It’s important to me that all babies get a healthy start. Please join me and be one of the hundreds of compassionate people who participate in March for Babies every year. With our support, there’s hope.” Sheriff Shoar added.

In St. Johns County, the March for Babies will take place on November 8th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Last year, more than 650 residents participated raising $104,000 for the organization. To sign up for this years march or for additional information you can visit their website at www.marchforbabies.org, or by calling 1-800-525-9255.