WAILUA — The warmth from the hearts of more than 200 walkers overpowered the cold winds Saturday at the March for Babies. Initially, Cheryl Ann Farrell, the March for Babies coordinator, had hoped for about 250 walkers to reach the
WAILUA — The warmth from the hearts of more than 200 walkers overpowered the cold winds Saturday at the March for Babies.
Initially, Cheryl Ann Farrell, the March for Babies coordinator, had hoped for about 250 walkers to reach the March of Dimes goal of $40,000.
None of the registrants would confirm an actual count of walkers, but teams of adults and children overflowed the Lydgate Park portion of the pedestrian and bicycle path to help raise funds for premature births and birth defects.
People who missed the walk can still contribute to the cause because Longs Drugs and Big Kmart will continue to collect funds for the March of Dimes through April, the registrars said.
The Godsill family of Kekaha, the Kaua‘i March of Dimes Ambassador Family, had their children bundled up against the biting cold, but thanked people for coming out to help other families that need the services of the March of Dimes.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. also thanked the people for getting up early to help other families in the community, his walk with the Dad’s Coalition being encouraged by Bev Brody of the newly formed Get Fit Kaua‘i coalition.
“If he finishes first, I told him I would give $50 for his group,” Brody said, dogging the mayor as he was among the leaders heading into the home stretch. “If he doesn’t finish first, he only gets $25.”
That kind of camaraderie filled the morning air as a large turnout from the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and the Wilcox Health System filled the path with colorful yellow and apricot T-shirts.
Other prominent groups included the Macy’s group, designated by their designer white shirts, and the Time Warner Oceanic group, with their black “Hi D” shirts.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health, working to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.com.
