Farmers Insurance will host a day in the sky with a hot air balloon, and sell ‘blueberries for babies' with all proceeds to benefit the March of Dimes.

(Chicago… July 15, 2009) With an ambitious goal of raising $2 million in a single day, the March of Dimes and Farmers Insurance are urging the public to unite on July 22 for “Be a Hero for Babies Day'' and join the fight for premature birth and birth defects in the United States. ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day’ culminates Farmers annual fundraising efforts for March for Babies and they will match donations up to $250,000 on July 22. With balloon rides and blueberries, you can help reach our goal!

Balloon Rides for Babies
To celebrate ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day’, the Farmers Hot Air Balloon will be in Aurora on July 22 at 2245 Sequoia Drive, Aurora, Illinois. Guests and participants will have the opportunity to go on a tethered balloon ride up to 40-75 feet high for $10 a ride. Weather permitting, they will also have the opportunity to purchase a $10 raffle ticket for a chance to win a “free flight” in the balloon!  The Illinois Agents Media Co-op is hosting Farmers Family Night on July 23 at the home of the Kane County Cougars, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva, Illinois and to celebrate the Balloon will also be available for $10 tethered rides to promote March of Dimes Be A Hero For Babies.  Feel free to call the Illinois State Office (630) 907-4300 to reserve your tickets.

Blueberries for Babies
The Blueberries for Babies campaign can help Farmers Insurance and the March of Dimes reach their goals. By purchasing 10lbs of Michigan blueberries from Roedger Brothers’ Farms through a Farmer’s agent by July 22, your purchase will help the cause. Blueberries are $35 a box and $10 from every box sold goes to the March of Dimes. Boxes purchased from a Farmers agent will be matched by the company! Blueberries can be purchased at any local Farmers office, or contact the March of Dimes office to refer you to the nearest Farmers agent at 312.596.4720.

Farmers Insurance for Babies
Farmers Insurance has an outstanding record of volunteer service, and has contributed time, energy, talent and financial resources to support the March of Dimes. On the first ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day’ in 2006, Farmers Insurance challenged their agents to raise $1 million and that year $1.4 million was raised for the March of Dimes! In 2007, Farmers challenged agents to raise $2 million and that year $2.7 million was raised. In 2008, the challenge was to raise $2.7 million, and agents raised $3.2 million. This year, Farmer’s hopes to raise $2 million!

The public can donate online at www.marchofdimes.com/farmers, or by contacting their local Farmer’s agent to buy blueberries!

The March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the champion for all babies, and has protected their health for 70 years, beginning with funding the research that led to the eradication of polio in the U.S.  The March of Dimes is the first and only organization that eradicated the disease it set out to eliminate, and also is the first health organization to host a nationwide walk.  Founded in 1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the organization was originally called the National Infantile Paralysis Foundation.  After funding the research that led to the eradication of polio, the organization changed its focus to premature birth and birth defects. 

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.