People didn’t go to the casino just to gamble or eat at the buffet on Saturday.

Motorcycle riders and a few hundred supporters gathered at Terrible’s St. Jo Frontier Casino for the March of Dimes “Bikers for Babies” fundraising event. About 400 registered bikers were sent off at 12:30 p.m. on their 90-mile journey through Elwood, Wathena and Troy, Kan., and even Rulo, Neb., before heading back to St. Joseph. Their efforts raised at least $43,218.

“(Premature birth) has reached epidemic status in Missouri. ... It’s 11 percent greater than the polio epidemic, which the March of Dimes was first formed to eradicate,” said Randi Banker, director of the St. Joseph chapter of the March of Dimes.

Forrest Schubert, chairman of the event and part of the ambassador family, is the father of twin girls who were born prematurely in 2000. Taylor only weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces, while Kendall weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces.

“It touched us personally. That’s when we started helping out with the March of Dimes,” Mr. Schubert said.

Ms. Banker was concerned that Saturday’s less-than-preferred weather — chilly and cloudy — would deter motorcycle riders from showing up. But it did not stop the several hundred dedicated bikers from making the trip.

“We have bikers that come from probably a 100-mile radius,” she said.

Becky Hagen, of Plattsburg, Mo., and Tricia Gillespie, of Independence, Mo., admitted that they probably wouldn’t have shown up if it had rained, because the cold temperatures could cause them to get sick and have to miss work the next day.

“If I was young, it wouldn’t be a second thought,” Ms. Gillespie said. “We just kept hoping and hoping that it would clear up.”

The two friends believe the Bikers for Babies event is a good opportunity to help. “If you’re gonna ride anyway, ride for a cause,” Ms. Hagen said.

Tina Chapman, from Savannah, Mo., has been supporting the cause for seven years by riding her motorcycle in the event. “I have a grandson that was premature,” she said.

Not all bikers had a family connection. Some just wanted to participate because they feel strongly about the cause. “I’ve been planning on it ever since I got a bike,” said Martin Ray.

Hal Cox of St. Joseph noted that it’s nice to get together with people he has known for years, while still supporting a good cause.

“It’s a traditional thing. Plus, we want to take care of the babies, too,” he said. “It’s like a family reunion for a lot of us. It’s what we do.”

Mr. Schubert agreed that it’s a good feeling to know he is contributing to such an important cause.

“Riding motorcycles is something that I love to do anyway,” he said, “so helping babies have a healthy start at life — that makes it even cooler.”