DAPHNE, Ala. — Melanie Johnson doesn’t just believe the March of Dimes is a worthy cause that improves the lives of nameless, faceless mothers and babies nationwide.

She is reminded daily of the organization’s impact when she holds 10-month-old Kendrick and squeezes 4-year-old Bryant.

“It is just so important to know what you need to do in the beginning to get a healthy baby in the end,” said Johnson, who delivered Bryant at 35 weeks and Kendrick at 32 weeks.

Babies delivered before 37 weeks are considered premature, and the March of Dimes is committed to reducing the toll of premature births by funding research that helps identify and address underlying causes while “providing comfort and information to families who are affected.”

Indeed, premature births affect half a million babies each year, and Johnson said she wants to do her part to raise awareness for the March of Dimes and its mission because she benefited directly from information the organization’s research made possible.

“Because of the March of Dimes, my doctor had the knowledge she needed to help me give birth to two healthy babies. And it’s more than just helping you understand about proper prenatal care. Because of that research, she knew in advance that I needed shots that would help my babies’ lungs develop, and she knew that without (the shots) we were going to be in trouble,” said Johnson, whose family will be featured Saturday during Baldwin County’s March for Babies at the Eastern Shore Centre.

Catherine North, director of the March of Dimes’ southwest Alabama division, said selecting a poster family for the annual event helps people remember there are real people with real stories attached to the information available.

And North is confident — despite the difficult economy — that the Baldwin County community will help the organization make its $30,000 goal, so that research that was so beneficial to Johnson and her family can continue to help others.

With as many as 150 participants expected, the annual walk is designed to raise awareness and funds with each team — either corporate or family — asked to donate at least $10.

In addition to corporate sponsors such as Fairhope’s Plantation Pointe, Publix Super Markets and the Army ROTC’s Eastern Shore Centre office, North said the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, based in Dothan, will provide children’s activities as well as critical information regarding the link between folic acid — found naturally in peanuts — and prenatal care. Among its many healthful benefits, folic acid has been proven to address neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

North said the difficult economy has impacted fundraising efforts over the past year, but she has noticed when one group comes in below goal, others tend to step up and make up the difference. Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, for instance, was able to exceed its $6,000 goal by $1,000 during the Mobile walk in April, and she’s hopeful the trend will continue.

North said it is also important to keep awareness at the forefront as corporations begin looking at the potential sponsorship budgets for 2010.

“We are very fortunate to serve such generous communities, but you have to keep telling the stories and remind people that you’re here,” North said. The Southwest Alabama Division serves Baldwin, Mobile, Conecuh, Washington, Monroe, Escambia and Clarke counties.

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. with festivities beginning at 9 a.m., and 75.4 percent of every dollar raised supports research and programs that help mothers realize full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives.

For those unable to attend Saturday’s walk, North said Baldwin County will also participate in the annual Blue Jeans for Babies campaign on Nov. 13, complete with University of Alabama- and Auburn University-themed T-shirts. While the organization could not officially endorse either team, North did say the color schemes of the T-shirts send a clear message 10 days before the annual Iron Bowl matchup.

And on Nov. 9, the organization will host the 19th annual Signature Chef auction at the Mobile Marriott, where patrons can vie for the likes of a gourmet picnic for 25, catered tailgate parties or a romantic in-home dinner for two valued at $350. Tables for the event are $1,500, or individual tickets are $75.

Your donation at a glance

The money raised in March for Babies is used to fund important research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. But it helps the organization provide information and support to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick. The following is just a sample of some of the ways that funding has been used:

Source: www.marchofdimes.com