As Meadville city manager, Joe Chriest is a busy man, often finding his free time is one item that seems to disappear all too quickly. But recently he was introduced to a program he felt a need to join — and to lead.

With Chriest as chairman, and hundreds of walkers along for the journey, Meadville’s annual WalkAmerica will be held Sunday at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Its goal: Raise $36,000 in a fund-raising event “that gives every baby a healthy start at life” through March of Dimes research and education programs.

Last year, hundreds of Crawford County residents participated, raising $27,000.

“Once I grasped the importance of WalkAmerica — the walk that raises funds for research that has the power to give our community’s tiniest babies a chance to beat the worst odds — I knew I had to be a part of the planning,” said Chriest. “WalkAmerica not only saves babies, but it is a fun event for everyone.”

Hundreds of area residents have signed up to participate in this year’s walk that will begin at 1 p.m.

Teams and individuals will participate in family activities and enjoy music and entertainment. After walking around the track in front of the grandstand, participants can return to Home Show Building 1 for lunch and refreshments.

The fight against birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality is the March of Dimes mission. In Crawford County, nearly 10 percent of all births are preterm, officials said — with some babies arriving too soon or too sick, their lives hanging in the balance.

March of Dimes officials noted that several local families know firsthand the importance of supporting events such as WalkAmerica that raise funds for research, education and community service programs to prevent preterm birth and birth defects.

WalkAmerica is America’s oldest and best-loved walking event, according to March of Dimes literature. The first WalkAmerica events were held in 1970: one in San Antonio, Texas, and the other in Columbus, Ohio. Thirty-seven years later, WalkAmerica is still the premier fund-raising event of the March of Dimes.

And the event can become personal: To walk in honor or in memory of a baby, or to get involved with WalkAmerica, call (800) 433-5210 or register and begin fundraising online at www.walkamerica.org.

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