Huntington Bank Northwest Ohio President to Chair Region’s 2013 March of Dimes March for Babies

Huntington’s Sharon Speyer will lead the Toledo fundraising event’s efforts to meet a $235,000 2013 local goal in support of premature birth prevention

TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huntington Bank’s (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) Northwest Ohio region President Sharon Speyer will lead the April 21 March of Dimes Toledo March for Babies, the pregnancy and baby health nonprofit’s signature annual fundraising event kicking off locally at Huntington Center downtown.

As chair, Speyer will play an integral role in raising community awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes’ efforts to prevent preterm birth and birth defects. March for Babies is the largest annual fundraising event for the March of Dimes, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2013.

“March for Babies gives everyone in our community the chance to work together for stronger, healthier babies and make a difference in the lives of millions of families,” Speyer said. “The health of future generations, which starts with healthful pre-birth conditions and full-term pregnancies to give children the best chance for a bright future, should be a priority for our community.”

The Northwest Ohio Division of the March of Dimes has committed to “beat their best” in new revenue this year in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary. The 2013 March for Babies community goal is $235,000. In 2012, the Toledo March for Babies raised $200,000.

“Sharon’s professional and civic leadership in greater Toledo makes her a perfect fit to lead the 2013 Toledo March for Babies,” said Suzanne Weller, State Director of Communications for the March of Dimes. “She has a proven track record bringing the community together to support charitable causes in our region. We appreciate her and Huntington’s commitment to the needs of babies.”

Toledo area residents can sign up for the March for Babies now at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family and friends. Last year, more than 4,000 people attended the event – which will start this year at 10 a.m. on April 21 at Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Avenue.

The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Farmers Insurance, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines. The Toledo March for Babies is sponsored locally by presenting sponsor Huntington Bank as well as ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital, Hollywood Casino Toledo, and First Solar.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $56 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

The Huntington National Bank, Member FDIC. The logo mark and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Huntington
Maureen Brown, 614-480-5512
maureen.brown@huntington.com
or
March of Dimes
Suzanne Weller, 567-298-4818
sweller@marchofdimes.com

Source: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated