Albert Lea’s annual March of Dimes fundraiser has been combined with Austin’s.

The 2009 “Saving Babies Together” March of Dimes walk takes place Saturday in Austin.

Registration begins 8 a.m. at Holiday Inn of Austin Conference Center and the walk begins 9 a.m.

According to June Howard, community director for the March of Dimes in southern Minnesota, more than 350 walkers are expected to participate.

There will be no walk in Albert Lea this year. Following a nationwide trend, many individual walks are being merged to reduce expenses.

Tonight, Albert Lea area walkers will have the opportunity to turn over their pledge monies at a “bank night” event scheduled 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Home Federal Savings Bank of Albert Lea.

Pledge monies may also be turned over to the March of Dimes organization at a similar bank night event scheduled 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Home Federal Savings Bank of Austin.

The donations may also be delivered to the March of Dimes at Saturday’s walk.

According to Howard, who coordinates March of Dimes fundraisers in southern Minnesota, Saturday’s six-mile walk will be held rain or shine.