The story of Athena Sunflower Burns, daughter of Robin Black and Illinois State Representative William D. Burns, was one of the highlights of the luncheon that helped raise an additional $32,375 in donations within 5 minutes.

(Chicago… May 12, 2009) – The March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Awards Luncheon was held on Friday, May 1s at the Hyatt Regency, 151 East Wacker Drive. Erin Lavin Cabonargi of the Public Building Commission of Chicago was the keynote speaker, and March of Dimes Board Member Scott Marshall of Duke Realty Corporation served as Master of Ceremonies.

The highlight of the luncheon was an inspirational story told by Robin Black of Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. (based in VA), wife of Illinois State Representative William D. Burns about their daughter, Athena Sunflower Burns, who was born prematurely.  At the end of her story, she asked the audience to donate to the March of Dimes, on behalf of her daughter and in honor of Mother’s Day.  Within five minutes, the audience members had donated $32,375 to the March of Dimes - a new record for this annual luncheon.

The 2009 honorees were:
Transportation Award: David H. Lorig, Lorig Construction Company;
Rufus Taylor Award: Jerrold Nixon, Maron Electric Company, a Posthumous Honor;
Professional Award:  David A. Gupta, SDI (System Development Integration, LLC);
Construction Award: Terrence J. O’Brien, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District 
15th Annual Feature Project:  ComEd, West Loop Project
Outstanding Leadership in the Public Sector Award: Patrick J. Harney, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago.

The March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Awards Luncheon was created in 1995 to honor leaders from the Greater Chicago area's construction and transportation industries for their professional and civic contributions to our community.

The 2009 event sponsors at the Platinum and Gold levels were Ardmore Associates, LLC, Clark Construction Group, LLC, d’Escoto, Inc., Divane Bros. Electric Co., Lorig Construction Company and Maron Electric Company.
With ticket sales, sponsorship and money raised on behalf of Athena Sunflower Burns and mothers and babies everywhere, the event raised a total of $210,000.

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 D. 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 (which was held last month), the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.