Some 22 students from Troy will take part in a public speaking contest today at 2 p.m.

The contest will be held at Troy Elementary School and will benefit the March of Dimes.

“The kids are going to be speaking about the March of Dimes and what it does to help babies,” said Pat Rodgers, coordinator of the program.

According to Rodgers, the Future Business Leaders of America organization is a major partner of the March of Dimes.

Rodgers said that 22 students have signed up for the event and are in grades K-12.

The event is open to the public, with a $5 admission fee that will go to support the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes is an organization that strives to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The organization does this through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives, according to its Web site.

March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against threats to their health.

The March of Dimes sponsors a host of fundraisers including March for Babies, Bikers for Babies, Jail and Bail and many other special events.

Judges for the event will be Mark Miller, father of Mary Beth Miller, the state March of Dimes Ambassador Child and Linda Gross, Alabama March of Dimes Youth Director.