"Be a Hero For Babies Day" Raises Nearly $122,000 in Washington State And $2.6 Million Nationally for March of Dimes

(SEATTLE, WA) JULY 30, 2009 – With carwashes, golf tournaments, softball games and dunk tanks, Farmers Insurance agents throughout Washington led their communities to raise $121,599 on July 22 to support March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.

Farmers efforts raised $2.6 million nationally, more than $600,000 above this year’s goal. Farmers Insurance also matched public donations to the March of Dimes made online (via marchofdimes.com/farmers) up to $250,000. That brings Farmers' total contribution to the March of Dimes so far this year to more than $4.1 million.

“This one-day event, organized and led by Farmers agents, is an extraordinary demonstration of how much they care about babies in Washington,” said Elaine Noonan, State Director of march of Dimes Washington. “Farmers efforts will provide support to urgently-needed research and education as the March of Dimes works to stem the growing crisis of premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death in the U.S."

Noonan added: “On behalf of the babies and families who will benefit, the March of Dimes wants to thank everyone who participated in “Be a Hero for Babies Day” and made it a success.”