THE BIG WALK
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Year Published: 1973
Format: 16mm
Description: "The Big Walk" is a short documentary about the March of Dimes walkathon presented by the National Foundation of the March of Dimes. The non-profit MoD pioneered vaccine research leading to the eradication of polio in the U.S., and then shifted focus to address some of the biggest health threats to moms and babies (with innovations like folic acid, newborn screening and surfactant therapy). The film was produced by Al DeCaprio, story and lyrics by Joseph Scher, edited by Richard Del Prete, and composed and narrated by Paul Evans. It dates to 1973, and features many shots of people young and old, from every creed and color imaginable, and including hippies, people with disabilities, and what appear to be veterans of the Vietnam war. The very first March of Dimes walkathon involving the general public took place in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7, 1970. The event name was later changed to WalkAmerica (1981) and more recently to the March for Babies. Participants assemble and move down city streets past a Cokesbury bookstore (:39) and meet at the municipal stadium to begin the walk (2:08). Officials from the city and the national foundation are present during the welcoming events (2:24). Checkpoints are stationed along the route for breaks and participants have their cards stamped to mark how long they have walked (2:53). Other cities across the U.S. also participate in the March of Dimes walkathon (3:57) including Houston, Texas where a crowd is seen in front of the Astrodome (4:20). A banner reading "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID 25 FOR THE M.O.D." welcomes participants who have reached the finish line (6:14). A local band performs for the participants who reached the finish line (7:20). Ending credits (8:02). The March of Dimes was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis with the mission to combat polio. After funding the polio vaccine developed by virologist Jonas Salk in 1955, the organization expanded its focus to the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. As preterm birth emerged as the leading cause of death for children worldwide in 2005, the primary focus of the organization shifted to the research and prevention of premature births. The largest fundraising event for the organization is the March for Babies, which was established in 1970 and is known as the oldest nationwide charitable walking event. Participants collect sponsors from their community who then pledge to donate funds depending on the number of miles completed by the participant. The March is held in more than 1,100 communities across the U.S. and has raised more than $2 billion since its inception.
Complete Record:
Transcription
foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] walking along through beats of the city oh what a pretty sight we must be walking along with a smile every mile having the best of times Marching for March of Dimes walk in the walk upon March walking along singing a song [Music] there must have been nearly 10 000 of us that Saturday we went on the walkathon wow everybody turned out kids from Junior High school and college students adults too it was the first time I've seen people all ages doing something together I'm really enjoying it everybody had been getting ready for the March of Dimes walkathon for about eight weeks [Music] I first heard about it in school sounded like a good deal to me you sign up sponsors individuals or businesses who agree to pay so much for each mile you walk and with a 20 or 25 mile hike that adds up to a lot of bread to help fight birth defects [Music] every day you get the chance to raise money for something worthwhile and have fun at the same time [Music] we had all gotten together that morning in the parking lot of the municipal Stadium man it looked like the seventh game of the World Series or Super Bowl day [Music] it was from the city and the national Foundation was there to wish us good luck and then we were off we must have stretched out for over a mile what a parade and you'd be surprised how many hung in there and made it across the finish line [Music] about five miles out we hit the first checkpoint there's a series of these stations all along the Route you have your card stamped to show how far you've come oh boy it felt good to sit down for a minute or they would drink some snacks for us and the blister Brigade was kept busy still a long way to go so it was back on the trail again know each other when we started out after a few miles though we all felt like Buddies it's funny how doing something like this sort of brings people together I wonder why we don't feel that way all the time [Music] our city wasn't the only one that had a successful walkathon folks all over the country have burned shoe leather to help raise money for the March of Dimes from New York to California and places in between like Omaha Nebraska the March's walk to help those who need a helping hand s like Houston Texas all across the land more than 2 million people marched in 700 walkathons last year they raised over six million dollars for the March of Dimes it's easy to see why these walkathons generate so much enthusiasm after all one out of every 10 American families has a child with a birth defect that means a lot of these people are walking to help someone they know the checkpoints were spaced every couple of miles now and each one became a welcome Oasis on the way to that distant Finish Line that's one way to cool your heels for those who couldn't make it any farther there was a poop out pickup wagon there were prizes donated by local businessmen and these guys were determined to win one of them they had a prize for whoever finished first and the booby prize for the last guy home that might be me and there were gifts for signing up the most sponsors and for the Walker who collected the most money the prize is added a little spice but the real incentive was thinking of the kids who would be helped by what we were doing today walking along through the streets of the city oh what a pretty sight we must be walking along with a smile every mile having the best of times marking for March of Dimes walk in the walk upon March walking along singing a song We're Alone [Music] [Applause] man the end of the line completing the hike gave you a real sense of accomplishment you were exhausted but exhilarated at the same time [Applause] yeah you ready to do it next year yeah how many responsible you have 13 71 and I think I am the oldest man in the March this year I certainly was last year too how many did you get Sam 473 spots is 80 and 20 cents a mile how do you like that congratulations on just finishing oh thank you how many sponsors have you had oh um 12. are you ready to do it next year oh yeah I just did 50 miles no I left about six seven thirty I think I made it to six hours they had Refreshments for us and a local rock group put on a show while we caught our breath and rested a while coming week we'd pay a call on each of our sponsors and collect the donations pledged for the miles we walked that was the easy part of the job the tough part was behind us and tired as we were it was a good feeling knowing we had made a contribution in the fight against birth defects [Music] next year when it's time for another walkathon like millions of Americans everywhere we'll be happy to get out and walk again for the March of Dimes it's the least we can do for the kids who need our help how about you come on and join us [Music] [Applause] [Music]
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