'Be a Hero For Babies Day' Raises $2.6 Million for Marc...( WHITE PLAINS N.Y. ...),Health

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With carwashes, golf outings, pancake breakfasts and pie-throwing contests, Farmers Insurance agents nationwide led their communities to raise more than $2 million on July 22 to support March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.

The total amount raised was $2.6 million, 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.

March of Dimes officials said the funds raised will support urgently-needed research and education to help stem the growing crisis of premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death in the U.S.

"This one-day event, organized and led by Farmers agents, is an extraordinary demonstration of how much they care about babies," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "With the money raised, the March of Dimes will be able to fund programs such as NICU Family Support(TM), which brings hope and comfort to families with a baby in neonatal intensive care units. 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."

"The dedication and hard work of our Farmers agents and employees across the country makes this one of the proudest days for me personally and for this entire organization," said Robert Woudstra, CEO of Farmers Insurance and a member of March of Dimes national Board of Trustees. "I want to personally thank everyone for sharing in my dedication to helping the more than half million babies born too soon, and in giving back
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