Have a hot dog, help prevent birth defects

On Thursday, local insurance agent Merl Humphrey and thousands of other insurance agents across the country have a large mountain to climb -- and they think they can do it.

Humphrey and other Farmers Insurance Group agents across the United States will try to raise $2 million on Thursday for the national March of Dimes organization, an agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

This is the second straight year that Farmers Insurance Group officials have conducted the fund raiser in an effort to urge local residents to join the agency's cause.

Humphrey said the $2 million goal should be easily attainable since the fund raiser is being conducted by Farmers Insurance Group offices nationwide.

"Oh yeah, I think it'll happen," he said. "They're (Farmers Insurance) more organized now so I think they'll reach it."

Farmers Insurance Group started the annual event, called "Be a Hero for Babies Day" last year when Paul Hopkins, the company's chief executive officer, challenged all of the company's agents and employees to raise $1 million in a single day for the March of Dimes agency. They responded by raising a total of $1.44 million -- the largest single-day fund raiser in March of Dimes history.

Hopkins explained the need for his agency to sponsor such an important event.

"Our overall goal this year is to raise $4 million," Hopkins said in a statement from the company. "Our plan calls for half of that $4 million goal to be raised in one day -- June 7, 2007. Our goal is big because the need is big. Each day, babies are born prematurely and we must do what we can to help them have a fighting chance at a healthy life."

To help achieve the company's goal, Humphrey will serve hot dogs and baked beans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday in front of his office located at 5 N. Main St. Local residents are invited to stop by his office, enjoy food and refreshments, and make a tax deductible donation to the March of Dimes.

"Even if you can't make a contribution, you can still come by and have a hot dog," Humphrey said.

Farmers Insurance Group was one of the top contributors to the March of Dimes in 2006, raising more than $3.2 million for the agency last year, a statement from the company said. Farmers Insurance is also a national sponsor of the Family Support Program, in which families of newborn babies in neonatal intensive care units in hospitals nationwide are given needed comfort and information from the March of Dimes.

To help Farmers Insurance Group in its effort to stop premature births, stop by Humphrey's office to make a contribution, or visit the Farmers Insurance Group Internet site at www.farmers.com, and use the site's donation tool. Farmers Insurance will match all contributions dollar for dollar up to a total amount of $250,000, the company statement said.

The March of Dimes, founded in 1938, funds programs of research, community service, education, and advocacy to save babies, and launched a campaign in 2003 to address the increasing rate of premature birth across the nation. The agency can be visited online at www.marchofdimes.com.

For more information about Farmers Insurance Group, visit www.farmers.com on the Internet.