An estimated 1,000 to 1,500 dads, moms, daughters, sons and several pet dogs set off on a four-mile trek from Longstreet Clinic to raise $160,000 to help newborns with problems.
Jana Dover with the March of Dimes in Gainesville/Hall County said the focus for the funding is preventing premature births.
"We also focus on birth defects and infant mortality and a lot of times premature birth leads to that," Dover said. "We've gotten bigger, we've got more sponsors this year and we've added more children's activities."
As in past walks, participants divided into teams representing area companies, organizations and individuals.
Jacqueline Moon marched with other Oakwood Wal-Mart employees; her son is challenged by autism.
"I've been doing it since 1994," she said. "If I can just help somebody else where they won't have to go through the stuff we went through with my son and raise money for research to help other parent with autistic kids."
Added Moon: "They're finding new research through March of Dimes for upcoming kids with autism."
March for Babies begins at Longstreet Clinic
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