By Francy Wade

Worldwide, 15 million babies are born prematurely each year. More than half a million are from the U.S. and 8,300 of them are in Massachusetts.

These particular statistics came to life in 2006 for Jennifer Robbins, co-founder and CEO of Anderson Robbins Research. Jen’s little girl Delaney came into the world early and was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit. Jen’s daughter is now a thriving 4th grader but Jen’s work on behalf of the March of Dimes and premature babies everywhere continues.

The March of Dimes’ mission is to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Jen and her family feel blessed they got a happy ending to a scary premature birth story; but they know that not every family is as fortunate. Jen chose to give back to the community by volunteering for the March of Dimes. She joined the Boston Board in 2012 and has served as the Chair of their Annual Black Ties for Babies Gala for the past three years.

The Gala is a wonderful event. It’s a night to honor the March of Dimes and raise money to support the life changing medical research, community programs, education and advocacy the organization funds. This year Jen and the Gala Committee secured JC Monahan and Phil Lipoff from WCVB-Channel 5 to host the event, and Boston’s famous comedian, Tony V, to serve as the hilarious live auctioneer. Dinner was catered by Boston’s own Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse while MS Walker donated all the wine and champagne served. Several local business and individuals including Long’s Jewelers, Turkish Airlines, Baystate Financial, the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots and TPC Boston donated amazing items for the evening’s silent and live auctions.

The committee also helped pick the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Humanitarian Award recipients, which are given to notable Bostonians for their dedication to the March of Dimes. This year the honorees were Jim Sullivan, President of Humboldt Moving and Storage and The Boston Business Journal.

Over the past three years, with Jen at the helm, the March of Dimes has raised over $400,000 through its Gala event. While she has passed the baton to a new Gala chair, Jen remains strongly committed to this important organization and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Boston Board. She will also serve as captain for the March of Dimes Falmouth Road Race team in 2016.

Part of the culture Jen and Chris Anderson (co-Founder and President) have created at Anderson Robbins Research, is the importance of doing well, by doing good. Employees are encouraged and invited to give back to organizations that help those around us. In turn, it makes everyone feel the power of compassion. To follow some of the ways we give back check us out on Twitter at @ARResearch.