More than $17,000 was raised countywide for the annual March for Babies event this weekend, according to Melissa Coffey, a member of the county's March of Dimes committee.

Nearly 80 participants attended Saturday morning's event where they walked the Russell Springs Elementary School track, raising money for the March of Dimes.

The organization seeks to prevent birth defects, premature birth, and infant deaths, according to event organizers.

The money raised,  totaling $17,371.50, will support March of Dimes programs right here in Russell County and go toward expecting mothers having healthy, full-term pregnancies.

It also funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies, such as premature birth.

This problem alone affects more the half a million babies in our country each year and is the number one cause of newborn death, according to the March of Dimes.

Four teams participated in the walk, including Bank of Jamestown, First National Bank, Monticello Banking Company and Baby Emma's team while the team from Kmart raised the biggest portion of the funds, according to event organizers.

The local March of Dimes committee consists of Coffey, Tiffany Wilson, Dawn Robertson, Shena Antle, Emma Lou Bryant, Donna Little and Linda Newman.

Pizza and drinks were provided by Giovanni's after the walk and the children also got to get up and close to a fire truck, ambulance and police car at the event.

Sponsors for the local event included the Bank of Jamestown, First National Bank, Lake Cumberland Area Development District, Duo County Telephone, Monticello Banking Company, United Citizens Bank, Fruit of the Loom, State Farm Insurance, Adanta, Russell Springs Elementary School, Denver Wilson, Hill's Portable Toilet Rental, Branscum's Produce, Giovanni's Pizza, Kay's Bestway, Harris Grocery, Antle's Heating & Cooling, Russell County Sheriff's Department, Russell County Rescue Squad, Russell Springs Fire Department, Russell Springs Police Department, Laker Country 104.9, 92.7 The Wave, the Times Journal, Russell Register, Coca-Cola, Sonic and Bennett's Carpets

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the March of Dimes in 1938.

The walk, which started in 1970, raises more than $90 million annually for the organization.

The event can be visited on the Internet at marchofdimes.com.