Tallahassee, Florida, August 01, 2012 —

Chris Klena is the newly appointed Deputy Director of Water Resource Management at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She is a dynamic volunteer who never ceases to put forth maximum effort in furthering the mission of the March of Dimes in advocacy and government affairs.

Chris began volunteering with the March of Dimes over 24 years ago by fundraising for March for Babies (then WalkAmerica) through her company’s corporate team. Chris served as chair of the Tallahassee March for Babies in 1992, 1993, and as an honorary co-chair in 1998. Her outstanding leadership led her to receive the 1992 Volunteer of the Year Award and the 1997 Community Service Award.

Currently, she serves as the chair of the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee (AGAC) which recently celebrated March of Dimes most successful legislative session in Florida. Chris along with her fellow committee members had several legislative wins such as securing $145,000 in the budget for the Florida Birth Defects Registry at the Department of Health and $1.75 million to expand the Newborn Screening Program to include a test for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID).

Chris’ involvement with the March of Dimes does not stop there. Her commitment to the March of Dimes was further solidified when a committee member Lorranne Ausley’s son, Will, was born premature. Chris’ belief in the March of Dimes mission made her one of the biggest and strongest supporters of the Walk with Will Team. She would fundraise for the team during legislative session at the Capitol by collecting donations from every person she knew. Their fundraising efforts led the Walking with Will Team to become a top family team.

“When Chris believes in something her support is unwavering” said Ausley.