A team from Shelton-based SSI raised $10,000 for the March for Babies fund-raising event on May 4 at Jennings Beach in Fairfield.
The walkathon, organized by the March of Dimes Greater Fairfield County Division, raises money and awareness to help give every baby a healthy start in life.
Based on Research Drive, SSI is a consumer and business survey research company.
Company also made donation
More than 50 SSI employees, family members and friends raised more than $6,900 for the charity walk. The total increased by $3,100 with a contribution by SSI — for a donation of $10,000 by the company and its employees.
“It was a fabulous turnout on a gorgeous Sunday,” said Philippe Bourdon, an SSI employee who has been honored with the 2013 Leadership Award for his volunteer work by the March of Dimes.
“I joined SSI eight months ago and as any volunteer would do, solicited its help in funding the mission, hoping for a small donation specifically for the March for Babies event in Fairfield,” Bourdon said. “I expected something, but I wasn’t prepared for such an overwhelming response.”
Bourdon said SSI formed a committee to raise awareness and then created a walk team. The initial goal was to raise $5,000.
Funds support research, programs
Funds raised in the March for Babies support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. Funds will also be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.
The nonprofit March of Dimes focuses on pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the organization works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Learn more at marchofdimes.org.
Participating SSI employees
SSI employees from Shelton, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, New Haven, Newtown, Southington and Southbury participated in the walkathon.
Here are their names:
Alejandro Barrios
Kimberly Beresky
Cidelia and Philippe Bourdon
Kay Bradley
Christine Cafferty
Maggie Corbett
Peter DeSimone
Domenico Di Pilato
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Donna Geathers
Melissa Geathers
Dylan Gladstone
Raquel Gomes
Lucas Johnson
Andrew Liu
Christopher Lown
Jeanne Mead
Pankaj and Neha Mehta
Brittney Miranda
Nicole Mitchell
Joan Nadel
Andrew and Stacy Nascimento
Michele Ocasio
Sophie Richards
Jesse Roberts
Tina Roberts
Isaiah Roman
Amanda Schneider
Jillian Simpson
Marquita Stevenson
Caithlin Sullivan
John Thompson and Samantha Davis
Leah Vildaver
Steve Winkel
About SSI
Survey Sampling International (SSI) is a global provider of sampling, data collection and data analytic solutions for consumer and business-to-business survey research.
Based in Shelton, it uses the Internet, telephone, mobile/wireless and mixed-access offerings to reach respondents in 86 countries.
The company’s 3,300 employees operate from 25 offices in 18 countries, serving more than 3,000 clients. Learn more at www.surveysampling.com.