REGION – Walk to save the babies. Walk to save Katrina victims. Walk just to get in shape. But walk.

The area’s annual March of Dimes Walk America is set for Saturday, November 5, 2005 at the Demopolis Sports-Plex pavilion.

Registration and pictures will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be provided along the walk route with lunch afterwards. There will be door prizes and a drawing for a fish cooker, which was donated by area merchants.

According to Jennifer Thomason, community director for March of Dimes, the local committee met Tuesday, September 20.

“We are trying to get the teams together,” Thomason said. “We may be having another meeting before the walk.”

This will be Thomason’s eleventh year participating in and organizing Walk America.

“We’ve had walks for a long time,” she said. “And we surpassed our goal last year.”

Although March of Dimes is currently helping Katrina victims as well, Thomason said the local chapter does not have the ability to do anything for evacuees.

She also said Murphy Radalais has been chosen as the Ambassador Child for the March of Dimes.

According to Thomason, Radalais and his parents, Gary and Christy, were forced from their home in Louisiana back to Demopolis where Christy was born in the midst of Hurricane Katrina.

If you would like to participate in Walk America or donate to the March of Dimes, contact Jennifer Thomason at (334) 289-6814.

To learn more about the March of Dimes Foundation, visit www.marchofdimes.com or call 1-800-394-8366.