PRESQUE ISLE – Windy, cold weather and threats of showers couldn’t keep local residents away from an annual 5-kilometer walk that raises money to prevent premature births in the U.S.

About 60 adults and several children turned out for the annual Central Aroostook March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Vee Peterson, co-director of the walk’s steering committee, said Sunday just before the walk.

“This is a good turnout, especially considering the weather,” Peterson said.

Walkers struck out at around 11 a.m. from the University of Maine at Presque Isle for the event, leaning into the wind as they meandered around the city.

They ended their walk back at UMPI and celebrated with a hot dog lunch hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.

The central Aroostook steering committee has organized the walk for more than 15 years, raising about $20,000 in each of the past three years.

About $10,000 of that has come from local fund raising, while the other half of that historically has come from corporate sponsor Kmart, Peterson said.

The co-director said her committee was hoping to meet and exceed their local $10,000 goal again this year.

The money will go toward a serious and growing problem in the U.S.: premature birth. According to information Peterson passed out during the Sunday morning event, premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death, affecting nearly 12 percent of births every year.

Peterson said the number is growing. For example, the rate of increase in Maine is growing faster than the national figures. The money they raise during the walk will help to combat the problem, she said.

“We’re walking to save babies,” Peterson said as she addressed the crowd preparing to begin their walk. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

For more information about the March of Dimes, visit their Web site at www.marchofdimes.com.