On foot

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Patty U. Hall has walked thousands of miles and raised tons of money for the March of Dimes over the past 19 years. The Wytheville resident has collected the most local donations individually during that time and is working on her 20th year.
“I have a spot in my heart for handicapped children and those with birth defects,” noted Hall. “There’s a lot of work needed to fight birth defects in babies and the March of Dimes does such a good job with its programs and research. Walk for Babies is such a good cause. If I can do anything to help a little child, I’m more than glad to do it.”
Hall usually begins collecting for the March of Dimes each year in June. She uses her days off from her job at Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in Wytheville and her lunch hours to personally contact donors.
“I have so many regular donors,” Hall stated. “The downtown businesses and merchants have always been wonderful to help me despite the economy. The people in my community are so supportive, too.”
Last year, she collected $4,300. Hall is captain of the Lowe’s team for the annual March for Babies, the local fundraiser for the March of Dimes.
“Patty really does work all year long,” Nancy Pack, co-chairman of the Wythe-Bland Chapter of the March of Dimes, pointed out. “She’s always working on her collection. She’s very dedicated to it. We really appreciate that dedication.”
Over the years, Hall has seen many changes in the local fundraiser. She cited the name change from WalkAmerica to March for Babies, a move to Wytheville’s Withers Park, a different walk route and participation from more teams as major ones.
“Another big change was moving the Walk from the spring to fall,” Hall said. “We changed it because it was close to the Relay for Life date. We now have it in October.”
The 2010 March for Babies will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, at Withers Park. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the Walk starting at 10 a.m.
“The original route began at Kmart and went through downtown and out Holston Road and back,” Hall recalled. “It was kind of dangerous with all the traffic and it was 12 miles. Now, it’s five miles and all done on the walking path at the park.”
While last year’s event fell short of its $23,000 goal, 15 teams did raise $16,000. This year’s goal is $17,000.
“We really want to have some family teams this year,” commented Pack, captain of the Wythe County School Board Team. “We want to keep the schools involved, too.”
Co-chairman Patty Thomas added, “We always welcome additional teams. We also invite anyone interested to join our planning committee. All help is greatly appreciated.”
She pointed out there are no requirements for the number of walkers on a team or the amount each member must raise to participate. Teams, Thomas said, may register the day of the event.
Free food, door prizes and entertainment will be included again this year. Rainbow Creations will provide inflated playthings for the children.
Dr. George J. Farrell III, a local ear, nose and throat specialist, will serve as the 2010 honorary chairman. Court Wyrick will be this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador.
For more information on March for Babies, call Thomas at 228-0216.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or wquesenberry@wythenews.com.