March of Dimes kick-off event at Romito's

By Danielle Paine

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW Nearly 700 people will walk the roads of Forest Park together on April 21 to help prevent premature birth.

Millions of walkers across the country will also unite in WalkAmerica, about 700 fund-raising events across the nation to support The March of Dimes.

To kick-off the local WalkAmerica season, a food and wine tasting will be held on March 11, 4 - 7 p.m at Romito's Bistro.

"We're doing it to bring people together from existing teams and to give new people information about the walk," Carrie Fuller of The March of Dimes explained about the get-together.

Aside from networking with other teams, participants can receive help setting up their personal fund-raising web pages that night, with the assistance of March of Dimes staff. With this online tool, walkers are able to track and raise money online and register to solicite donations by e-mail.

"Prematurity affects everyone, in fact, one in eight babies in Springfield is born prematurely, giving us the highest rate in the state," Fuller explained about the charity's mission. "Just like years ago when we raised money to conquer the Polio virus, it's working for the future so that our kids don't have to worry about this."

According to Fuller, last year the March of Dimes gave $5.5 million to premature birth research in Massachusetts alone. She added that some of the country's top researchers are at work on the problem in the Bay State.

"This event is pretty diverse, a growing number of family teams," Fuller said. "Even if people have had a healthy baby, it is due in some way to the March of Dimes."

After the walk, the Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill will cook for participants while the Hasbro company hosts a family tent with give-aways and well-known characters from childhood games.

Anyone interested in more information about WalkAmerica is encouraged to attend the food and wine tasting kick-off for more information.

"A lot of times when you get them [walkers] all together they share ideas and people run into other people that they didn't know were doing it," Fuller said.