CAÑON CITY, Colo., Aug. 13, 2004 -- Thirty-seven Cañon City business and community leaders recently “did time” for the March of Dimes, and Colorado babies will benefit. Their efforts were for March of Dimes Jail & Bail, a new community fundraiser. The event took place on Thursday, July 22 at Viva Vallarta Mexican Restaurant.

Participants (a.k.a. “Jailbirds”) were challenged to raise their “bail”—a suggested $1000—by asking for donations from friends, family and business associates. They could collect it beforehand or by cell phone while at the event. In total, $9737 was raised for March of Dimes healthy-baby programs. The number-one Jailbird (at $1010) was Gary Matthews of Matthews Brothers Electric Inc.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. To achieve its mission, the March of Dimes funds research, community services, education and advocacy. A key initiative is addressing prematurity, the leading killer of newborn babies in Colorado and nationwide. Currently in Colorado, the March of Dimes funds $1.5 million in grants plus operates its own programs. Over the past four years, the organization has funded approximately $210,000 in services for Southern Colorado babies and families.

“We’re thankful to the people of Cañon City for greeting this new event with such enthusiasm and we congratulate them on their achievement,” said Shelly Goodchild, state director of the March of Dimes Colorado Chapter. “They really took on the challenge and worked hard to support the cause of healthy babies. We’re very grateful and proud.”

Goodchild also noted that the Jailbirds are to be applauded for being good sports. Upon entering the mock-jail site, they were booked, fingerprinted and (donned in prisoner garb) had their mugshots taken.

Any organization in the state that provides services to pregnant women and babies can apply for a March of Dimes grant. Information can be obtained by contacting the Colorado Chapter at (303) 692-0011.

For more information about the March of Dimes, visit marchofdimes.com (English) and nacersano.org (Spanish).