The March of Dimes “March for Babies” events are taking place locally this weekend. These annual events help to raise awareness about premature births, along with money to fund research that will, hopefully, make high premature birth rates a thing of the past.

Saturday’s walk takes place at Seymour High School. Officials say that registration begins at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until noon. The goal for the Seymour walk, say March of Dimes officials, is $33,000. As of early Wednesday evening, the March of Dimes says that just over $10,000 has been raised.

Sunday’s walk is set to kick-off on the west lawn of IUPUC in Columbus. Organizers say that registration begins at noon and the walk commences at 1 p.m. The goal for the Columbus walk, say March of Dimes officials, is $61,000. As of early Wednesday evening, the March of Dimes says that just over $26,000 has been raised.

Both walks are 3.1 miles in length. You are encouraged to put a team together of friends, coworkers or family, then take part in a very good cause. For m ore on these events, visit www.marchforbabies.org.