By: Zachary Newcome
Contributing Writer
On October 4, 2014, St. Bonaventure will be holding a March for Dimes walk. For the past three years, St. Bonaventure University has been helping the cause. They will be partnering with two local corporations, CUTCO and Seneca Casino & Hotel, according to a university press release.
Since 1938, March of Dimes has helped babies all across the United States. It was founded by President Theodore Roosevelt to battle polio. After the mission to defeat polio was accomplished, the new mission became to tackle birth defects and premature births.
Rick Trietley, Vice President of Student Affairs and chair of March for Babies Olean for the past three years, encourages all students to join this event.
“Although this is a fundraising event, people should just participate,” Trietley said. “Invite friends and family just to be involved, donations are great, but we really want people to just be involved, and to support.”
Last year, the March of Dimes at St. Bonaventure raised $52,000, but this year’s goal is $57,000, according to Trietley.
“We are already exceeding last year’s sponsor’s donations, but it will come down to the end of the walk,” Trietly said. “It would be great to reach $57,000.”
Brittany Lazickas, a representative from the Buffalo March of Dimes, said everyone who wants to participate in the walk is welcome to do so.
“We have all been affected by the mission of March of Dimes, whether it has been from knowing someone born premature, getting the polio vaccine when you were born or benefiting from any of the many medical advances March of Dimes has helped fund,” Lazickas. “March for Babies Olean is a great way to get out in the community, enjoy a wonderful family friendly event and show your support of a world with healthy babies by fundraising, even if it is just $10, every little bit counts!”
Last year, twenty St. Bonaventure teams participated in the walk. This year, it is hoped to have more teams of faculty, staff and students, Trietley said.
If you are interested in participating in this year’s walk on October 4, 2014, go online to marchforbabies.com and register your team. If you cannot make it for the walk, you can still donate. Eighty-one cents of every dollar goes towards research, programs and education materials, according to Trietley.
“It would be a dream if all students participated in the event,” Trietley said.
