For the third year, Whitaker Funeral Home has sponsored a team in the March for Babies fundraiser.  This year held on  Saturday, May 7th, the March began in downtown Newberry on the Square and ended at the same place.  The course is a two-mile loop, done twice!

   The most attended March of Dimes fund-raising event each year, the March for Babies attracts more than one million people all over the nation. They come together to raise money for educational and support programs in local communities that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. The March for Babies also funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies. Since 1970, this event has raised over $1.8 Billion to benefit all babies.

   This year, the marchers from Newberry raised more than $52,000 and Team Whitaker raised almost $3,200! Team Whitaker numbered 25 participants, including family, friends, and Team leader Deena Bedenbaugh, office manager at Whitaker Funeral Home.

   "We always have a lot of fun.  Walkers brought their own young ones to walk along with them or in strollers, carriers, or carriages," explained Erin Whitaker.

    "Some participants did the double loop course of four miles, and others decided to go around just once.  The Whitaker Funeral Home was the Rally Point for the event and was awarded the Checkpoint of the Year 

Award for 2011.  In addition, Whitaker Funeral Home earned citations for being the Top Fundraising Team (for companies with fewer than 500 employees) and the Top Online Fundraiser.   We are very proud of our Team and their efforts." 

   Erin Whitaker further commented, "Team Whitaker includes more people than just the walkers who participate. There are many behind the scenes who help out, including those workers who staff the rally point. We at Whitaker Funeral Home walked for the future of our community!"    

   "One day ... all babies will be born healthy. These words -- the motto of the March of Dimes March for Babies, is a fervent hope of every member of Team Whitaker," explained Deena Bedenbaugh. "The March of Dimes spends 76 cents of every dollar raised to help babies begin healthy lives -what a joy to know we've helped to make this happen."      

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A Successful Daffodil Days
for Whitaker Funeral Home!

News from Around the Community

     
   Whitaker Funeral Home 

   Speakers Bureau 

   Last month Christie Whitaker spoke before 30 members of the Wightman United Methodist Church.  Her presentation included reflections of her work in Disaster Response and how this mission work has shaped her life, personally and in her career.

   Christie also presented "Are You Ready?" to 20 women who are members of the Whitmire Biographical Society. This important topic covered what needs to be done to get "everything in order," including health issues, financial information, advance directives, and funeral planning.

   If you have a topic you'd like to discuss with Christie or have an open slot on your program schedule, call or email Christie Whitaker at 803-276-5000 or Christie@whitakerfuneralhome.com for more information. There is no cost to local community groups for the presentations.

   Christie is a frequent speaker on subjects including, Disaster Response, The Value of Ceremony, Being a Friend, Grief: A Time to Heal, and Planning Ahead.   

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