RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. Later this month, motorcoach operators from across the U.S. will partner with the national March of Dimes and local March of Dimes chapters for a major fund-raising event, Miles for Babies Day.

The program gives members of the United Motorcoach Association the opportunity to join with the March of Dimes and become a champion for babies, raising urgently needed money to help prevent birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.

H & L Charter Co. of Rancho Cucamonga will be among the UMA-member motorcoach operators participating in the Miles for Babies Day on Sept. 24.

For each mile driven by H & L Charter coaches on the 24th, the company will donate 10 cents a miles to the March of Dimes.

"Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and our organization is committed to reducing its toll and ensuring that every baby has a healthy start in life," said Amanda Murasso of the March of Dimes California chapter.

"Through Miles for Babies Day, and the help of organizations like the United Motorcoach Association, we hope to reach the day when all babies in our community are born healthy."

H & L Charter is a third-generation, family-owned coach company thats committed to excellence and providing quality transportation, said company President Elaine Fickett.

Ficketts father-in-law, Herbert Fickett, bought a used coach in 1986 -- "out of the clear blue . . . because he COULD and the bus business looked like it was fun and easy. He was half right," she laughs.

Herbert Fickett and his late wife, Laura, then started H & L Charter. Over the years, the Ficketts and their staff have continued to build the company based on Elaine Ficketts philosophy that they are "committed to the success of each and every trip."

It operates a fleet of a dozen buses, including 10 motorcoaches and two new GCA M1235 midsize buses.

For more information about the Miles for Babies program, go to www.milesforbabies.org, or www.uma.org and look for the link.