Ambassador Family for March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction is set for Thursday night at the Greenville Convention Center and the Mitch and Mandi Jones family of Greenville knows firsthand about the importance of this life-saving event.

More than 15 million babies are born prematurely each year.

The March of Dimes works to raise money for research, education and support to help those little ones and their families.

The Jones family has three kids that were all born premature. They are this year's Ambassador Family.

Mitch Jones says, "The best thing about having three children in neonatal intensive care is that you lose the innocence of just knowing they're always going to be healthy, and while that sounds a little gloom...we just...every day is precious. We enjoy doing things as a family, and we don't take the fact that our family is together for granted."

They say with the help of their doctors at the James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital, family, and faith, their kids were given the best chance for surviving and thriving.

It's why they're happy to be this year's Ambassador Family.

Mandi says, "It's an absolute honor. Our babies got a fighting chance and they're all here. So for me, that's their mission, to give all babies a fighting chance. So the fact that we get to share our stories, give families hope, it's truly an honor."

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction will be held Thursday at the Greenville Convention Center.

Organizers are asking those attending to bring one item to help out flood victims in the Greenville area.

WITN's Dave Jordan will serve as emcee.