The walk begins

CARMEL - Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle failed to dampen the spirits of more than 350 Sunday who participated in the March for Babies.

State Senator Vincent Leibell and Sheriff Donald Smith welcomed the walkers to Guideposts telling them that “babies need our help!”

Officials from the March of Dimes on both the local and national level have called on all residents of the county to support research that will eliminate birth defects worldwide. During the past 70 years, millions of babies have been saved from death or disability thanks to advances made by the March of Dimes. Despite this, more than one million babies fail to receive lifesaving newborn screening tests. Another 500,000 babies are born prematurely while 150,000 babies are born each year with birth defects.

Putnam walk chairman Richard Osmers asked every resident of the county to “help do all we can to make sure every baby is born healthy: We can make a difference. We must continue to raise dollars for research because it’s for the children of tomorrow.”

Officials told the Putnam Courier the Putnam Walk hoped to raise $50,000.