The Asheville area March for Babies was a hit! I was thrilled to serve as the Event Chair this year and support such a wonderful cause!
Hi friends! Happy middle of the week—I’m doing a happy dance already!
I’m still on cloud nine about March for Babies! I had so much fun at the event and it was so great to see friends, family and community members rally together for such a great cause. My brother Tommy, my sister-in-law Megan (and baby Owen,) my Dad and his friend Edward all traveled to Asheville just to attend the walk. Dad got sick and could not walk, but I still really appreciated my family coming from so far to support me and the March for Babies.
The March for Babies is a three mile walk through downtown Asheville supporting the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes mission is to support pregnant women and help babies have a healthier start. Their goal is to learn more about prematurity and one day stop it. They also really support women being healthier in general, so this was such a great partnership with my blog and my new goals in life. If you want to learn more about it, read this post.
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
Asheville March for Babies 2015
My day Saturday started off really early volunteering to get Pack Square ready for the fun.
My good friend Megan and I needed to assemble the balloon arch. It seems easy… but that was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time- haha!
The good news is I can now add to my eclectic résumé that I have balloon arch building skills.
Looks pretty solid, huh?
The crowd gathered around nine and it was so joyful to see so many teams coming together to support the March of Dimes! Many of them had a premature baby at some point and received help from the March of Dimes.
(Photos courtesy of Donald Lantham)
There are so many fighters and survivors in those pictures!
The March officially started at ten. As the Event Chair, I gave a speech (I was so nervous!!!)
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
We then heard a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem...
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
Finally the hubs and I took some photos with the Asheville area Ambassador Family and then we were off!
I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome it felt to move. With my ankle sprain and the cut on my foot it had been weeks since I could even walk much. Luckily my foot stopped aching late last week and I was able to keep up with the crowd without hurting myself more.
I started walking in the front of the crowd, but dropped off as we got further into the walk to catch up with the people who had signed up because I asked them too. I really wanted everyone to know how much I appreciated them coming.
I also stopped to cheer on some friendly faces!
I absolutely adored this shirt put together by some of my friends from WLOS.
The weather could not have been more perfect! After three gorgeous miles, we turned back into Pack Square.
I even got to walk with some of my favorite kiddos!
Selfie compliments of my bro Tommy…
After the walk there was a BBQ lunch all donated by Dickey’s BBQ and yummy Italian Ice from Rita.
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
I got to catch up with Megan and hang out with my family.
There was even some epic cuteness with Marilyn’s son William…
… and my nephew Owen who was worn out by the walk!
Can you believe how big he is?
My final task of the day was judging a stroller decorating contest with my friends Megan and Holly!
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
We had a blast and the moms and kiddos were adorable!
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
This little guy had the most swagger, so he won! It was a really hard decision though, everyone really put some heart into it.
(Photo courtesy of Donald Lantham)
I wish I would have gotten a big group shot of my family, friends and team members, but I was just running around too much with some of the logistics of the walk. I purposefully left my big camera behind because I wanted to make sure I was present for the whole event and not hiding behind the lens! My friend Donald with Donald Lantham photography was kind enough to send me some of these pictures to fill in the holes. If you need good headshots or a wedding photographer, he is your man. He does amazing work.
I feel so grateful that so many of my friends and family did SO much to support the March for Babies this year. I am so very grateful and humbled. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
If you would like to be involved next year, feel free to reach out to me!
Also, if you have been on the fence about donating… it’s not too late. HERE is my team page!
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing a recipe for a healthier pasta bake that incorporates some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors and ingredients. It’s such a yummy dinner. I hope to see you then.
I’m linking this post with Wild Workout Wednesday and Wow! Workout Wednesdays. Also Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday. Thank you so much ladies for the link up party!
Your turn!
Have you ever done a March for Babies?
Any March of Dimes stories out there?
jill conyers says
What a wonderful event Julie. I bet nobody could tell you were nervous during your speech. I'm not a big fan of public speaking but when it comes from the heart it feels so natural.
You should be so proud for what you've done with this. Have a wonderful weekend.
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much Jill! I appreciate the support.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
This looks like a fun and worthwhile event. The photos look fantastic and I am sure you did a great job on your speech. That Shakespeare quote is my absolute favorite. It's on my Twitter cover. #wowlinkup
JulieWunder says
Thanks Diatta! It's such a good one.
MCM Mama Runs says
Great job on organizing the event! We are visiting Asheville for our vacation this summer, so it was cool to see the pictures. Looks like a beautiful place!
JulieWunder says
Awesome! It is a really cool place and I love it. Email me if you need any suggestions.
DSI says
Keep getting outside and enjoying that fresh air!! Those races will always be there!! Sharing the moments with the baby is so fun and sweet, too. I loved that!
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch says
Wooo I'm so happy it went off without a hitch! That BBQ is so, so good too 🙂 so that always helps. How nice of you to make it a point to thank people! You're so kind and thoughtful. And that contest at the end? Absolutely adorable haha
JulieWunder says
Thanks Laruen! It went pretty well. The food was awesome and totally cool that they donated it ALL!!!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
It looks like a great event! I have never done a March for babies. I need to because it is such a great cause.
JulieWunder says
Yes! You should do one! It is fun to form a team!
The Frugal Exerciser says
You had some beautiful weather for the walk. In what state is Asheville located? #wowlinkup
JulieWunder says
Asheville is in North Carolina. We are all the way in the mountains of the Western part of the state bordering Tennessee. It is a cool place!
Danyelle Musselman says
Congrats on what looked like a wonderful event! Thanks for sharing 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Danyelle!
Jess @hellotofit says
Looks like you did an awesome job handling this event - glad everything went well!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jess!!! My bars came yesterday-- so yummy-- thank you!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Wow! Great job! I'm sure that was a great undertaking. As a nurse that has worked in the NICU with premature babies and their families, I know this event all around the country is a wonderful cause! Congrats!
JulieWunder says
Thank you again for what you do!!! You are truly a miracle worker!!! We thanked all the NICU workers at our walk.
Tamieka@ Fitballingrunningmom says
Awesome day for an awesome cause!
A team-mate of mine daughter is a March of Dime baby. Born 3 months early. She just celebrated her 1st birthday on Sunday!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Tamieka! Congrats to your friends baby for reaching that mile stone!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Congrats on such a great event! It really looks like it was so much fun, and that balloon arch is on point!
JulieWunder says
Thanks. It was legit. 🙂
Debbie says
Everyone looked really enthusiastic. That is great. Exercising for a cause could not be better.
Thanks for sharing the experience. It is very inspiring.
JulieWunder says
Yes! What a great group! I loved just walking and enjoying the company.
Annmarie says
Congrats on such an amazing event!!! I participated in a march here a few years ago but it was a much smaller event.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! The walks come in all size and are all a lot of fun.
Jenny says
Oh I love this! I was working on Saturday, but I'd love to help out with the next one!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
It's so great when you can use your passion for exercise and running for a great cause! How fulfilling! Congrats it looks like a great event for a great cause.
Dan Steadman says
I did one MANY MANY years ago....
JulieWunder says
Sounds like it is time to do a new one! 🙂
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
I have done many March of Dimes walks...never meant as much as it does now that I have my own babies...I must find our local one this year!
JulieWunder says
It's such a fun and joyful day! Lots of hope!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
So many congratulations on a successful event! I've never planned something of this magnitude, but I have planned smaller events, and even those are so challenging. You should be so proud!
JulieWunder says
The fabulous staff did much of the leg work! It was a lot of fun!
Blane Sherer says
I am really happy that you were able to share with us today about The March For Babies ! I'm glad that it went so well for you personally and for the Cause itself. As I said before they could not have had a better Event Chair than you.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane!