The event, co-sponsored by the University, will begin and end at Brookings Hall and will wind through Forest Park.

Celebrating its 35th year, WalkAmerica is the March of Dimes' biggest fund-raiser and brings people from all neighborhoods and all walks of life together to help fund the foundation's mission. The March of Dimes has targeted raising $1 million from the St. Louis event.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate or volunteer.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:45 a.m. Both short and long routes are available to accommodate all walkers.

After-walk activities include a stroller parade, diaper derby, baby photo contest, sack race, tug-o-war, three-legged race, horseshoes and washers competitions, and an over-under ball race.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies. In 2003, it launched a multiyear campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

For more information or to register for the event, go online to walkamerica.org or call Kristin Emahiser at 646-0049.