Hundreds Join March for Babies in Essex County

Approximately 1200 residents joined together in support of the smallest citizens of Essex County— babies — by participating in the 2014 March for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes. Brookdale Park, Bloomfield was packed with strollers, families and corporate teams helping to try to achieve the New Jersey goal of $3.1 million to help babies be born healthy.

Special guests at the day’s events included 2014 Essex County March for Babies chair Angelo Puerari, Sr. Vice President of Santander Bank. Dawne Tarver of Newark shared her story of her son Keandrei who was born at 27 weeks gestation, weighing 2 lb 2 oz in May of 2001.

“I, as Keandrei’s mother, am forever in debt to the staff in the NICU at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center/Children’s Hospital of New Jersey and the March of Dimes for giving me my son,” said Tarver. 

Money raised by the event funds research, education and local community grants for programs such as Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait and NICU Family Support.

“Thank you to all of our state-wide sponsors, walkers and volunteers who made the March for Babies event a success and who continue to support the efforts of the March of Dimes and its very important mission,” said Addy Bonet, State Director, March of Dimes, New Jersey chapter.

It is not too late to donate to March for Babies and help New Jersey reach its goal of $3.1 million.  Visit marchforbabies.org for more information.