Salem Comes Together to Raise $95,000 for Babies

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

103 year-old Jim Lindquist was the oldest walker Photo: March of Dimes

(SALEM, Ore.) - It was the best feel-good moment of the week in Salem when hundreds of residents joined together in support of the smallest members of Salem —babies—by participating in March for Babies to benefit March of Dimes.

"Thanks to everyone who came out in support of babies. Together we've raised $95,000 so that one day all babies will be born healthy," said Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive and 2009 March for Babies Chair.

"We've made a difference in the lives of children and their families here and across America. And that's something we can feel really good about!"

Although premature birth is the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today, affecting more than half a million babies each year, the crowd Saturday was spirited and celebratory knowing that together with March of Dimes their efforts are putting us that much closer to finding the causes and solutions.

--Salem March for Babies by the Numbers--

This year:
425 people walked
103 year-old Jim Lindquist was the oldest walker
45 Family Teams and 85 Corporate Teams
$95,000 raised to fund life-saving research
514 hot dogs were eaten
13 dogs walked the route
113 pirate photos were taken by Grove, Mueller & Swank
1,918.9 total miles were walked

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Source: March of Dimes