The annual March of Dimes March for Babies sponsored by Peoples Bank & Trust Company was a huge success.

It was the best feel-good moment of the week in Hazard when hundreds of walkers joined together in support of the smallest members of Hazard and surrounding counties – babies – by participating in the March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes. The Hazard Daniel Field was packed with strollers, families and teams to celebrate raising more that $110,000 to help babies be born healthy.

“We’ve seen today how important it is to help our babies,” said 2010 March for Babies Chair Rhonda Brewer. “This has been an incredible event and I’m so proud to be from a community where people can come together for such a great cause. Helping our babies should be a top priority, and we should be excited about what we’ve accomplished here today. We can make a difference by giving hope to families and help give all babies the gift of a healthy start.”

Entertainment for the walk was provided by Booth Entertainment. Inflatable Fun Company provided a Mickey Mouse Bounce House for the children to enjoy. The Kid’s Corner was proudly sponsored by Hazard ARH. The children enjoyed playing games and eating sno-cones. Everyone liked knowing they were making a difference for the moms and babies by helping to support important research and programs that help moms have full term pregnancies and babies to begin their lives healthy.

The Ambassador Family, Lauren and Randall Riley, parents of Kolten Riley were introduced by Co-Chair Carla Seals. Seals stated that, “Little Kolten was born eight weeks premature. He came into the world fighting for life. Instead of spending his first moments in the arms of his mother, Kolten was whisked away by doctors, placed in an isolette and hooked up to machines and monitors. After 16 days in the hospital, Kolten was finally able to go home with his family. No baby should have to start life like this and no parents’ first moments with their new baby should be filled with such anxiety and fear. That is why the Riley family is walking with us today, and thanking each of you for supporting such an important cause and to join them in the mission to make sure that one day, every baby is born healthy. The Ambassador Family was honored to be able to support the March of Dimes in return for all the support they have given them.”

Peoples Bank & Trust Company expresses its sincere thanks to all members of the March for Babies Committee, all team participants who volunteered a great deal of time and effort, to all the businesses who donated their services, prizes and refreshments, and to all those who gave to such a worthy cause. A special thank you to Lauren and Randall Riley, parents of Kolten Riley, the 2010 Ambassador Child. Peoples Bank would also like to congratulate Hazard Clinic, the winner of the t-shirt contest.

Special thanks to the 2010 national March for Babies sponsors, K-Mart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter, CIGNA, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group, FedEx and Mission Pharmacal.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.