$200K Raised At March Of Dimes Event

By Matt Wiley

Each year, hundreds of thousands of babies are born prematurely and researchers are hard at work to figure out why. It’s with the help of fund-raising organizations like the March of Dimes — which recently held its annual Pasco “March for Babies” at the Shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel — that help make that important research possible.

More than 1,000 people (photo below) came out to support the March of Dimes on April 25 by taking part in the walk along Paseo Dr. in the Shops, which raised about $200,000. This was the first year that the March was hosted by the mall, as it had been held in New Port Richey in previous years.

“This year’s March for Babies at the Shops at Wiregrass was a terrific family event for an amazing cause — helping babies!,” said 2015 March for Babies chair Joseph Munier, of Wells Fargo, one of the event’s sponsors. “I was excited to chair the event this year to help support the March of Dimes and the babies in our community. I also was very excited to see the increased participation and support this year compared to last year,” adding that the March events help provide critical services for babies in need.

Shops at Wiregrass marketing director Debbie Detweiler said that the mall was thrilled to be chosen as the host for this year’s March.

“It was a great day for families that attended and a wonderful opportunity to partner with March of Dimes and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel to raise funds to support programs in our community that help moms have healthy full-term pregnancies,” Detweiler said.

Wesley Chapel resident Dylan Cofini, 8, was this year’s March for Babies Ambassador. His mother Jennifer (of event Silver Sponsor Parks Motor Group) explains that Dylan, as well as his younger sister Madison (photo above) actually were both born prematurely.

“As a mother of two premature children, the March of Dimes is near and dear to my heart,” Cofini explained. “I experienced first-hand the uncertainty mothers face with having premature babies. It’s a very long and scary journey that you can only take one day at a time. There are so many questions, so many ‘what ifs,’ and all you can do is sit and pray that everything will be ok. I was lucky to have a happy story. Both of my children are healthy and happy today. Unfortunately, not all of the stories end up this way.”

Cofini and her family alone helped raise more than $3,000 for the Parks Motor Group team. But, Cofini says she’ll be setting her goal even higher for next year.

“The March of Dimes was a huge resource and supporter for me, when I was going through uncertain times, so I feel compelled to continue to help so more babies are given hope and a chance to have a healthy start in life.

For more information about the March of Dimes, please visit MarchofDimes.org.