Representatives with March of Dimes and Centra Southside Community Hospital held an ice cream social last Thursday to kick off efforts to raise funds for the upcoming March for Babies.

The five-mile Farmville-Fulcher March for Babies Walk will begin at the hospital April 22 where participants will also walk through High Bridge State Park.

Allison Gross, development manager with March of Dimes, said Centra has worked with March of Dimes for approximately 10 years. Gross said she and Kersten Gates, development manager, are working on this year’s march.

“Centra is such a wonderful support of ours,” Gross said, noting other supporters including WFLO, WVHL Kickin’ Country, Awesome Party Supplies and Party Hardy DJ.

March of Dimes is a nonprofit that focuses on preventing infant mortality and premature birth while also providing infant care following birth.

Gross said the march is named after Henry Fulcher with WFLO, who she said has supported and advocated for the event.

Gross said Centra and March of Dimes, in addition to the march, offer baby basics programs for pregnant women, including learning about premature birth, eating nutritiously and learning about measures to take care of the baby.

The goal for this year, Gross said, is to raise $22,000. She said last year’s event raised a little more than $22,000.

Gross said the purpose of the ice cream social was to kick off interest for the march, in addition to speaking with Centra representatives to generate interest and support.

“What we’re doing here today is talking to people at the hospital to help set up teams and raise efforts,” Gross said.

Centra Marketing Director Kerry Mossler said that the chair of the event is Dr. Hilary Neves, OBGYN for the hospital.

Members of the sorority Tri Sigma served vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream with all of the fixings including cherries, chocolate and caramel syrup, whipped cream and pecans.

Madilyn Harrison and Megan Hurley said the sorority began working with the march last year.

“It’s really close to us,” Harrison said about the purpose of the nonprofit. “Everyone is affected by it.”

“A few of the members of the sorority were born prematurely,” Hurley said. “(This) means a lot to them.”

A bake sale at Centra to raise funds for the march will take place March 12 from 7 a.m. until noon.

To learn more about the April 22 event, including forming teams and signing up to march, visit www.marchforbabies.org.