Andrew Thielman gets his kicks in his backyard after rasing $1000.00 for the March of Dimes this year. Andrew has given back to a program that had helped him when he was born prematurely. photo by Rick Gunn
When 8-year-old Andrew Harris heard about the March of Dimes, he told his mom he would like to help.
She told him about how the March of Dimes helped him.
The Sutro Elementary School student was born 10 weeks premature with a birth weight of 2 pounds, 3 ounces.
He had to have operations on his eyes and ears so he could see and hear.
Eight years and 15 operations later, Andrew is very near to collecting $1,000 for the charity that helped him when he needed it most.
With the exception of some eye problems, he is a normal 8 year old, who plays with other children and does his homework, says his mother, Stephanie Harris.
On Saturday, when he walks in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, he will have come full circle.
Andrew's first goal was to collect $500 for Saturday's event, but he was done with that in short order.
"He said, 'Mom, I'm going to collect $600, no $700, no $1,000 should help those babies," Stephanie Harris said Wednesday. "He's an awesome kid."
The whole family will be walking the 5-mile course on Saturday, wearing matching T-shirts with pictures of Andrew when he was a baby.
Andrew's aunt is Jennifer Warhol, who works for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada and has helped with Carson's WalkAmerica in recent years.
More than 30 teams consisting of an estimated 300 people will participate in this weekend's walk, according to Shelly Young, the March of Dimes Northern Nevada division director.
Walkers on Saturday will range from Reno Rodeo Queen Jessica Helms to inmates at Nevada State Prison. Last year inmates raised more than $1,000 for the March of Dimes.
Money raised Saturday will help fund the March's five-year campaign to discover causes of premature births.
"We want to find out why premature births are still happening and educate the public about what to do to prevent premature children," Young said.
According to the March of Dimes, on an average day 213 babies are born a month or more premature.
Young said people can sign up for the walk right up until it starts on Saturday, or just make a donation. There are two walks, one 5 miles long and the other 21/2 miles.
"But we consider anyone who makes a donation a walker," she said.
IF YOU GO
What: March of Dimes Walk America
Where: Capitol Complex
When: Walking starts 8 a.m. Saturday
For information: 826-2166 or see www.marchofdimes.com
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