UAW AND BIG THREE ARE STEPPING UP TO SAVE BABIES
THE GOLDEN MILE ON MARCH 13TH

(Detroit, MI FEBRUARY 2007)— United Auto Workers, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors are teaming up with the March of Dimes for its well-known fundraiser WalkAmerica, which will kick off with the Golden Mile on March 13th.  The Golden Mile is the official start of WalkAmerica in Michigan where corporate leaders from the Metro-Detroit area will join in a symbolic half-mile walk.  This is the second year the UAW and all of the Big Three automakers have come together for this cause.  WalkAmerica supports the March of Dimes fight to save babies from premature birth – the leading killer of newborns – and from other serious threats to infant health.  
 “The babies in Metro-Detroit need our help,” said Ron Gettlefinger UAW President and, 2007 WalkAmerica Chair. “By working together and being a part of WalkAmerica, we can help save babies and give hope to families.  When we all work together as a team, we can be more successful with better results,” he added. 
 Ron Gettlefinger became the first honorary state-wide chair for Michigan in 2004 and is moving forward to take this partnership on a national level.  He is pulling together with the UAW and Big Three to work together for the March of Dimes.  Beginning in 2005, Gettelfinger expanded his efforts and began recruiting the help of the Big Three automakers where he was successful in getting Ford Motor Company involved.  Then in 2006, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors agreed to come on board, as well.  Now the UAW and the Big Three are moving to take this campaign nationwide.  And it is important to note that this partnerships was solidified in spite the economic difficulties the American automotive industry is facing at this time.
WalkAmerica has been the country’s best-loved walking event since its beginnings in 1970. As the first national walk, it has become the March of Dimes largest fundraiser. To date WalkAmerica has raised more than $1.7 billion takes place in 1,100 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Now in its 37th year, WalkAmerica is expected to draw 1 million walkers. Overall, more than 7 million men, women and children will participate as sponsors, volunteers and walkers this year.
   
 The WalkAmerica 2007 honorary state chairs include key decision makers in the automotive industry and they are; John Franciosi, Senior Vice President Employee Labor Relations DaimlerChrysler, Joe Hinrichs, Vice President North America Manufacturing Ford Motor Company, General Holiefield, Vice President UAW DaimlerChrysler, Bob King Vice President UAW Ford, Cal Rapson, Vice President UAW General Motors and Diana Tremblay, Vice President General Motors North American Manufacturing Labor Relations General Motors.
 The March of Dimes is a 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 campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com/michigan or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.
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