March of Dimes needs your participation this year

Premature birth can happen to any pregnant woman, and no one knows why. Thankfully, most premature babies live, but many will have numerous medical crises, huge medical bills, and lifelong challenges such as cerebral palsy and blindness. With your support, the March of Dimes can continue to fund research and programs to prevent premature birth and other threats to babies' health. That's why the March of Dimes needs you to participate in March for Babies on March 10.

This year, March for Babies coincides with Speckled Perch weekend. To give everyone plenty of time to enjoy the parade and festivities in the park, the walk has been shortened to only 2 3/4 miles.

March for Babies will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Flagler Park #5, but walkers are encouraged to arrive early enough to have team photos taken by Sandra Pearce Photography and to enjoy some light breakfast refreshments provided, in part, by McDonald's North and Dunkin' Donuts North. Warm-up exercises will be led by Logan Kindell of K-Strong Fitness. There will be Spirit Stations along the walk route, at which walkers can be fueled with juice, water, fruit, or candy. The awards ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m. Awards will include the following: Top Fundraising Individual, Favorite Team T-shirts, Top New Team, and Top Five (5) Fundraising Teams.

Sponsors for March for Babies 2018 are: Regional Sponsor: Publix SuperMarkets; Gold Sponsors: FPL and Raulerson Hospital; Silver Sponsors: Law Office of Cassels & McCall, Children's Services Council of Okeechobee County, GilbertHasIt.com, Gretchen Robertson State Farm Insurance, Heartland Women's Health, and Rotary Club of Okeechobee; and Bronze Sponsors: CenterState Bank, Healthy Start Coalition, Lightsey's Seafood Restaurant, Okeechobee Health Care Facility, Walpole Feed and Supply Co., and Wemmer Family Orthodontics.

What better gift is there to give than that of a healthy, full-term birth? YOU can make it happen by participating in March for Babies 2018. It's not too late to decide to walk. Individuals, as well as teams, can still sign up and participate. Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $25, and those raising at least $100 will receive incentives. For more information about joining March for Babies 2018, call Magi Cable at 863-763-8667 or Laura McCall at 863-763-3131, or simply register at the event.