FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tim Arndt, Senior State Director

Communications and Marketing

(317) 262-4668 and tarndt@marchofdimes.com

March of Dimes rewards top fundraisers at WalkAmerica.

(Indianapolis, IN, January 21, 2006) – Thousands of Indiana residents take part in WalkAmerica because they know that by supporting the March of Dimes they are helping fight premature birth and the Indiana Chapter recognizes outstanding effort with rewards for top fundraisers.

"WalkAmerica is the event that provides more than 60 percent of the funding the March of Dimes uses for research and community programs," says Tim Arndt, Sr. State Director of Communications and Marketing for the Indiana Chapter.  "We appreciate each and every person who raises money and walks in WalkAmerica.   However, we also believe it is important to recognize those volunteer leaders that raise as much or more than many WalkAmerica teams.  It is our way of saying 'thank you' for helping save babies. "

In 2006, the Indiana Chapter of the March of Dimes will:

·         Award each person who raises $125 or more with the official 2006 WalkAmerica T-shirt.

·         Present each person who raises $250 or more with the official 2006 T-shirt and sweatshirt.

·         Give each person who raises $500 or more with the official 2006 T-shirt, sweatshirt, and a duffle bag bearing an embroidered pink and blue ribbon for prematurity awareness.

·         Recognize each walker that raises over $1,000 at the Indiana Chapter annual conference and reception plus award each with the official T-shirt, sweatshirt, and blanket.

For ideas on how to become a top walker in Indiana, call 1-800-BIG-WALK or visit www.walkamerica.org.

The March of Dimes is the national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth 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 www.marchofdimes.com/Indiana, its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org.