March of Dimes exceeds fundraising goal

Event organizers for the 2013 St. Francois County March of Dimes Walk for Babies exceeded their goal for this year’s walk.

March of Dimes Southeast Missouri Regional Director Beth Simmons said the final total this year is $38,630.

“The committee did an amazing job this year and went over their $38,000 goal for this year. Especially with the event being moved inside at the last minute,” Simmons said.

The St. Francois County March of Dimes Walk for Babies was held April 18 at St. Joseph Catholic School Gym. It was scheduled for Long Park in downtown Farmington. However, storms blew in and the walk’s venue was changed.

Michele Ziegelmeyer, co-chair for this year’s walk, said it was great to go ahead with the walk inside because it gave sponsors and teams a chance to come out.

“It worked out well,” Ziegelmeyer said.

Simmons said overall the walk still had a great turnout in spite of the weather. It is unheard of to have the walk inside if it rains. “It was a decision I made because everyone worked so hard,” Simmons said.

Simmons encouraged the teams to begin their fundraising now for next year’s walk and come up with new fundraising ideas for next year.

She also announced that Michele Ziegelmeyer from Cunningham Recreation and Mindy Pingle from Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan will be the co-chairs for the 2014 walk.

The co-chairs for the 2013 St. Francois County March of Dimes Walk for Babies were Ziegelmeyer, director of Marketing for Cunningham Recreation; and Chris Westrich, director of Business Development for Mineral Area Regional Medical Center.

The March of Dimes is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and the St. Francois County March of Dimes celebrated by having three ambassador families.

In 2012 the family and corporate teams raised $34,343. Simmons estimated more than 500 walkers participated in the 2012 walk.