When third-grade teachers at Lakeview Elementary asked students to collect their spare change for the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, they weren&8217;t prepared for what happened.

The 79 third-graders collected a total of $341.96.

&8220;We are so proud of you,&8221; said teacher Ann Hareid.

As a thank you to the students, Home Federal Savings Bank bought the students stuffed March of Dimes animals. They awarded them on April 4.

&8220;We had a lot of parents say the kids were breaking out money from their piggy banks,&8221; Hareid said.

Mitchell Evans was one such student.

He donated $72.64 to the cause. Hareid said she called his mother to be sure that was OK. &8220;&8217;Yes, that&8217;s his own money,&8217; she told me,&8221; Hareid said.

The money represents money he earned for doing chores and selling some of his toys at garage sales.

Mitchell said he felt strongly about helping babies born prematurely.

&8220;I just thought it would be a good way to help other people,&8221; Mitchell said.

&8220;It was fun to see how many smiles people gave me. It makes me feel really good.&8221;

The March for Babies is Sunday starting at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and going around Fountain Lake. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the walk begins at noon.

People can register to walk online at www.marchofdimes.com, at the fairgrounds the day of the walk, or call Ceres Van Riper at 402-1076.