Helping newborns who are born premature or with disabilities is what March of Dimes does. It brings in donations to help fund research so we can learn to prevent these issues and handle them the best way we can when they happen.

"Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality," said Missy White, area coordinator for the March of Dimes.

Eileen Bertagna is heading up one fundraiser, and you may have noticed her work at a few places around town.

"The big fund raiser that we've been doing is the flamingo flocking," said Bertagna.

She has two flocks of 25 plastic pink flamingos. She's leaving them in front yards around town with a sign telling why the flamingos are there.

"The good news, we say to them, is now you get to flock somebody," said Bertagna. "So they pick a friend, a family member, a co-worker in town and the flamingo flock is going around the yards."

People make donations to have the flamingos removed.

Romy Hester is someone who knows first-hand what March of Dimes can do. Her now 8-year-old daughter was born premature. She says doctors told her and her husband to prepare for the worst.

"They're capable of doing anything and everything as long as we can get the donations coming in. It's just research. You can't do the research unless you have people giving money to help fund the research," Hester said.

This story has a happy ending, but many do not. Organizers say they hope you are willing to donate to help save these newborns.

The March of Dimes is holding its annual March for Babies Oct. 17 at Bonita Lakes, beginning at 10 a.m. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. Click the link below to learn more about the March of Dimes.