Raising money to help premature babies

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Hurricane Sandy couldn't stop the march of dimes mission to end premature birth and birth defects.

Several hundred people participated in Monday nights March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Originally scheduled to take place over a month ago but postponed because of super storm Sandy, the auction raised thousands of dollars to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality here in Western Massachusetts.

Kristin Introvigne says, "Here in western Massachusetts the rate of prematurity is actually higher than it is in other parts of the state.  So, specifically here, it's very important to be raising funds so we can bring awareness to the march of dimes mission and really try to eliminate premature birth."

22News morning anchor Jackie Brousseau served as mistress of ceremonies for the event, which paid special tribute to Glenn Welch of Hampden Bank, because of Hampden Bank's commitment to the march of dimes.