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Balmy weather and a baby blue sky greeted those who turned out Saturday for the March of Dimes fundraiser in Cambier Park to throw in their support for the health of newborns.

The March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, which began in 1970, drew more than 500 people. Walkers set off at 9 a.m. to complete a 3-mile route around Old Naples.

“The name was changed to March for Babies because babies is what we’re all about,” said Rick Gallo, a member of the March of Dimes state board of directors. “We’re trying to make sure that every single baby is given a healthy start at life. Our mission probably says it all, which is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects. There are over 3,000 identifiable birth defects and we still don’t know why half of them occur.”

Gallo said more than a half million babies are born prematurely in the country every year. Among industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks as one of the worst for infant mortality.

March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization, is leading the way in the fight for newborns by bringing funds and awareness to the cause.

“The infant mortality numbers are just too high,” Gallo said.

Walkers were led through a warm-up routine before the walk kicked off. Many were assembled in teams, wearing the T-shirts of their respective sponsors, which included Physicians Regional healthcare system, Wachovia, Publix, and others.

Breakfast foods and refreshments were served in the park, while the band “T5” provided entertainment.

“It’s just an absolutely wonderful cause. Who doesn’t want to help babies?” said Erica Vanover, who has attended the event with her family for more than 10 years. Her year-old son, Alexander, cooed in his stroller, seeming to be excited about the upcoming trek.

“Are you gonna save the babies?” she asked him playfully.

Organizers had hoped to raise $165,000 in donations, but largely due to a tough economic year the outcome was expected to be closer to $100,000.

Tricia Christian, the March of Dimes program services director, is responsible for seeing to the effective distribution of the organization’s funds.

“We give out about $283,000 in grants to the state and about $23,000 locally for things like getting women into prenatal care early, helping professionals recognize the signs of pre-term birth, those kinds of things,” she said.

Events like the March for Babies and the upcoming Ride for Babies, a motorcycle cruise along the beach with law enforcement in September, are designed to appeal to the community and generate continuing family-based support, Christian explained.

“We try to make sure that they have a quality experience so that they want to come back next year and bring their friends and more family members.”

To make a donation, visit marchforbabies.org or call 1-800-525-9255.

“It’s been a tough year for fundraising, and I think every single nonprofit organization is feeling it, so we need all the help we can get,” Gallo said.

Contact Richard Ferrara at richferrara@gmail.com