Kickoff breakfast begins March of Dimes fundraiser and county walk

NEWTON — A breakfast kickoff March 15 will help get walkers prepare for the country's oldest fundraiser walk — The annual March of Dimes March for Babies, started in 1970. The breakfast will be held at Sussex County Community College in the Atrium and is open to the public. The complimentary event offers a chance to meet the March of Dimes National Ambassador Family. Sussex County is one of the few sites chosen to host soon-to-be 6-year-old Kieran Wittstruck of Seattle, who is the face of the March of Dimes, and his family. Local chair The Skylands March for Babies is scheduled Sunday, April 29 (rain or shine) at Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the 3-mile walk starts at 9 a.m. Bill Snouffer, general manager of Franklin-Sussex Auto Mall, is this year's chairman. “It’s a real honor for the Skylands March for Babies kickoff site to be selected as one of the exclusive venues to be visited by the March of Dimes Ambassador family. Usually these appearances are confirmed for only the largest metropolitan areas, so it’s indicative of the growth Sussex and Warren counties have committed in supporting March of Dimes,” Snouffer said. Snouffer became involved in the March for Babies event last year when his dealership became a local sponsor and raised $6,888. In addition to being a sponsor, Snouffer created a walk team and held promotions to benefit the organization. He allowed them to set up tables in his showroom during his community events, giving them the opportunity to meet with the public and create a greater awareness of their campaign. This year Snouffer has committed to raise $20,000 for the March of Dimes. He will have a walk team on April 29, and once again allow the organization to have a presence in his showroom. Snouffer has made team kits available at Franklin-Sussex Auto Mall to anyone interested in starting their own team or they can support his team at www.marchforbabies.org. Look for the Franklin-Sussex Auto Mall team. JoAnn Bartoli, Community Director for the March of Dimes, said they had “a wonderful year” in Sussex County in 2011, raising nearly $75,000. “The community has really embraced the cause because it really does touch so many lives,” she said. Bartoli encourages all business leaders and March for Babies teams to come out to the breakfast kick off event where they can meet the Wittstruck family. To attend, RSVP to JoAnn Bartoli at 973-296-8803. To register for the walk, contact Bartoli or log onto www.marchforbabies.org.