Among all the beneficiaries of charitable organizations, perhaps none are more helpless than newborn or unborn babies. That's why the March for Babies, the fundraising event for the March of Dimes, strikes such a responsive chord.
"Everyone can relate to it," says Greg Plage, executive director of the Fairfield County division of the March of Dimes' Connecticut Chapter. "Each and every year our events have grown in size and excitement. People get involved, and they're hooked for the rest of their lives. The loyalty of our constituents has been overwhelming."
That growth is seen locally. The Fairfield County edition of the March for Babies has existed for two decades, and four years ago was split into two separate events, with a new one in Fairfield joining the original Stamford location. "We'd reached the size that one site wouldn't accommodate everyone," says Plage.
The Stamford event had been itinerant, moving among several locations before finally finding a permanent home at Commons Park, a private park in the Harbor Point development in South Stamford, thanks to the generosity of Building & Land Technology and the sponsorship of Stamford First Bank. "I'm so happy that we won't have to look for a site for the next several years," says Plage.
The turnout in Stamford and Fairfield was "absolutely fabulous," according to Plage. About 1,200 walkers showed up in Stamford and raised $134,000, which was added to the $90,000 generated by the 750 walkers who came out in Fairfield. Former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele was the grand marshal in Stamford, joined by Mayor Michael Pavia and March of Dimes ambassadors Steve and Melissa Moroney, whose son, David, was born 14 weeks prematurely a year ago but attended the event as a healthy toddler.
"The funds raised go toward research into preventing birth defects and premature births, and to help doctors and nurses implement best practices when dealing with those situations," says Plage. "It's great to see everyone rallying for this cause."
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