The Austin/Albert Lea March of Dimes would like to thank the following local business and individuals for the great support we received for the 2013 March for Babies walk. We could not make our walk a success without your help. In the words of 2-year-old Luke Gooden (this year’s ambassador child), “Thank you people.”

Torges Live: For providing us with a facility to welcome our 200-plus walkers both before and after the walk, along with providing the walkers with pizza and chips. Along with Torges, we would also like to give a very special thank you to others that donate food and beverages: the Austin/Albert Lea Walmarts, Hormel Foods Corp., Coffee House on Main, Jim’s Marketplace, Reed’s Fourth Ave, and Super Fresh Produce Bakery & Garden Center.

Thank you Austin Bruins for hosting our kickoff night again this year.

KAAL TV, KIMT TV, KTTC TV, FOX 47, Austin Daily Herald, KAUS AM & FM radio, Power 96, KWWK radio, KROC radio for the great media coverage beginning with the announcement of our kickoff night following through and leading up to and following our walk.

Local and Corporate Sponsorship: Optum, Medica, Walmart, Thrivent Fanancial/Martha Vriese Morrison, Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Diamond Jo Casino, Minnesota Corrugated Box, Sterling State Bank, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Lance and Snow Pogones, Dr. Kurt and Brenda Potach, Walgreens, Early Riser Kiwanis, Cedar Valley Services, Kuehn Motors, AFLAC/Kiersten Hall, Furhman Real Estate, Accentra Credit Union, Alliance Benefit Group, B&J Bar & Grill, Baudler, Maus, Forman, Kritzer & Wagner LLP, Bendixon Jewelry, Blecker Realty, Bollingberg Chiropractic, Brick Furniture, Cooperative Response Center, Farmers Insurance/Tom Gillard, Fast Tax/Eric Newhouse, First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Mary Lindgren, Medicap Pharmacy, Motor Inn Company, Nielsen Agronomics, Robert Collier Podiatrist, Sterling Real Estate, Thrivent Financial – Mower City Chapter & Wellness 1st Chiropractic.

A special thank you also to the Police Reserves, the Austin Amateur Radio Club, Holiday Cars, the VFW Honor Guard and Y-Waste for your time on walk day.

We would especially like to thank everyone that walked with us. You braved the cold, wind and rain, showing that you are all very dedicated. Whether you were part of a corporate team, a family team or maybe an individual, you believe that every baby deserves a fighting chance.

Thank you to the Gooden Family for sharing their story this year.

Sincerely,

Lisa Morehouse and the 2013 March of Dimes committee