March of Dimes in Palm Beach County strives for $535,000

By Luana Goncalves

The March of Dimes held two walks in Palm Beach County last weekend to increase awareness of improvement for the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

One walk was held at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton with an estimated 2,000 people in attendance and the other at John Prince Park in Lake Worth with approximately 3,000 people.

With an approximate total of 300 teams, both corporate and family teams fundraised towards their goal of $535,000 to fund programs in research, community services, education, and advocacy that save babies’ lives.

L to R – Eric and Jacqueline Smith

According to Shanna St. John, the Executive Director in the Palm Beach Division for March Dimes, the top teams in Boca were NCCI, Jarden Consumer Solutions, Bank of America, Citi, QEP, and Florida Atlantic University.

“The volunteers, walkers, and teams that participate all fundraise to raise dollars that go directly into our mission to help programs that we have for mothers, parents, and babies,” said St. John.

The March of Dimes was started in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to research the cure for polio. Today the organization continues to help children and save babies that are born prematurely.

L to R - Andrea Nunes, Shaina Nunes and Deena Nunes

Tony Manganello, Board Member and Dad of March of Dimes Ambassador Child Kayla Manganello, benefited from the assistance of the organization.

“I have been involved with the March of Dimes only because of  a lot things they do; the work they do saved my daughter’s life,” mentioned Manganello.

In November 2005, his daughter Kayla was born 17 weeks early from the due date. Since 2006, Manganello has been a regular walker.

“I have been very passionate with the organization, and I just want to keep giving back to what was so given freely to my daughter, to future babies, and to help with awareness,” said Manganello.

Today 4 ½ year old Kayla, according to Manganello, is “a healthy, happy little girl.”