| East Hartford, CT – Mason Passavant, age 9, of Middletown broke his own fund-raising goal and raised $6,035 for March of Dimes Middletown WalkAmerica this past April. In 2003, he raised $4,290 for the March of Dimes largest annual fund-raiser. Last year he was named the top individual fund-raiser in Middletown, was the 8th top walker in Connecticut and was 17th in the nation of all March of Dimes WalkAmerica youth walkers. Mason is in fourth grade at John Lyman Elementary School in Middlefield.
As Mason proudly stated in his 2004 fund raising letter, “I do it because I like knowing that I am helping save babies’ lives!”
Mason began raising funds as a youth walker for the March of Dimes in 2002, although he has joined his mom, Marcia, on the Walk since he was born. He started by setting out a “charity cup” in his home. He would ask guests and family for any change they could spare. His fund-raising efforts quickly increased. Mason now writes letters to family and friends asking for donations and saves money year-round to contribute to WalkAmerica.
“Mason always tells people that he’s raising money to help save babies,” says Marcia Passavant. “I realize that I was very lucky to have such a healthy and happy baby and that’s why I support the March of Dimes, because I know that so many families aren’t as fortunate as I was. Mason knows that he is lucky too, that he was born so healthy. This is his way of giving back.”
Funds raised from WalkAmerica help the March of Dimes find the answers to why premature birth happens and what can be done about it. This serious problem has increased 27 percent since 1981, and affects out of every eight babies. Many babies born prematurely die or face lifelong disabilities. More than half the time premature birth happens for unknown causes.
In Middletown, WalkAmerica is proudly sponsored by Liberty Bank, The Middletown Press and Lite 100.5 WRCH. Connecticut statewide sponsors are CIGNA, Bob’s Discount Furniture and NBC30 Connecticut News. National WalkAmerica sponsors are Kmart, CIGNA, Famous Footwear, and Discovery Health Channel.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
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