WOODLAND HILLS : About 2,000 Walk for March of Dimes

About 2,000 Warner Center workers walked a mile Thursday in a benefit that generated more than $85,000 to be used for research in the March of Dimes fight against birth defects and infant mortality.

“This is just fantastic,” said Roger F. Greaves, president of Health Net, who strode for the 11th time in front of a legion of marchers in the charity walk.

Greaves said participation in the event has grown dramatically from just 97 walkers representing five companies in 1983 to about 2,000 walkers from 100 companies this year.”It seems like everybody wants to participate in this,” Greaves said.

Greaves acknowledged Health Net’s relationship with the charity is more than just philanthropic.

“It’s good business,” he said. “We dovetail beautifully. We’re in the business of promoting good health, and they teach people to take responsibility for their own health and for the health of their babies.”

Karen Berk, executive director of the March of Dimes in Southern California, said it is the walkers who deserve the credit.

“You are the spirit of the March of Dimes,” Berk told the crowd, who basked in the sun and fed on free sandwiches after the event. “You make this campaign a success.”

Veteran walker Pat Landen, who won an award for getting 307 people to sponsor her in the event--raising $363--said she had been looking forward to the walk for months.

“I started pushing to get people pumped for this in January,” she said. “It takes a lot of work, but I think it’s worthwhile.”