March of Dimes hoped to raise nearly $300,000 to fight against premature birth. Watch video
ASBURY PARK -- Nearly 1,000 people walked the Asbury Park boardwalk on Sunday to support the fight against premature birth.
The "March for Babies" is the premier fundraising event for the March of Dimes foundation. Nearly 3 million people in 700 communities will participate in March for Babies events across the country.
In Asbury Park, March of Dimes organizers with the Monmouth and Ocean chapter hoped to raise $280,000.
The group's community director, Quincy Goodwine, said the event attracted nearly 1,000 participants on Sunday. Goodwine said the fundraiser has gotten "better and better" since he started volunteering two years ago.
"I'm definitely pleased with the turnout," Goodwine said. "I go to bed happy at night ... knowing what we're doing here, in the state and in the country."
March of Dimes said it's raised $2.3 billion nationwide since 1970 to benefit healthy, full-term pregnancies. According to the group, premature birth is the number one killer of babies in the United States.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.