Millbrook residents become heroes for babies

Jayme Yarroch, of Farmers Insurance, aided by his wife Raina, stand with Michelle Witcher, holding Tonisha Robinson. Yarroch worked in front of Food World Friday to take donations for the March of Dimes.
Photo: Brian Hodge

In cities large and small all across America, thousands of Farmers Insurance agents and employees raised more $2 million dollars in one day for the March of Dimes.  This is the second year for the program which is called “Be a Hero for Babies”.
In Millbrook Farmers insurance agent Jayme Yarroch set up shop in front of Food World in the Millbrook Commons shopping center. He offered Krispy Kreme doughnuts in exchange for a one dollar donation.
“We set a goal of raising $1,000 for the March of Dimes organization and I’m proud to announce, because of the generosity of the Millbrook community, we raised $1,046.10. Overall, Farmers Insurance group’s goal was to raise $2  million (Friday) and we are excited to report that we raised over $2.5 million company-wide. I’d like to thank all of you who came out in support of our ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day,’ as you truly are heroes for our precious little ones,” Yarroch said.
“For those of you that received doughnuts with your donations, remember that when they are for a good cause, they are ‘fat free,’ so I hope you enjoyed them,” he added.
Farmers Insurance started ‘Be a Hero for Babies Day’ last year when CEO Paul Hopkins challenged Farmers Insurance agents to raise $1 million dollars in one day for the March of Dimes.  “Our goal this year is to raise $4 million dollars,” said Paul Hopkins, Farmers CEO. “Our goal is big because the need is big. Each day babies are born prematurely and we must do what we can to help them have a fighting chance at a healthy life.”
Farmers Insurance Group® is one of the top contributors to the March of Dimes, raising more than $3.2 million in 2006.  Farmers is also a national sponsor of the Family Support Program in neonatal intensive care units in hospitals nationwide, where the March of Dimes supplies needed comfort and information to families during the stressful first days of their babies’ lives.
To help Farmers in its pledge to fight premature births, stop by any Farmers Insurance agent’s office and make a tax deductible contribution, or visit Farmers’ website at farmers.com and use the easy online donation tool. Farmers Insurance is matching all contributions dollar for dollar up to a total of $250,000.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.