There may not have been any pearls in the hundreds of oysters shucked last month at DeWolf Tavern, but the annual Oyster Festival produced a result just as valuable.

More than 1,000 people turned out to the DeWolf Tavern on Thames Street for the Father’s Day Oyster Festival to benefit the Rhode Island March of Dimes. The fundraiser brought in $8,500, all of which will go toward the organization’s mission to decrease premature births, infant death and birth defects.

“Healthy aquaculture helps healthy moms and babies,” said Neil Sharpe, executive director of the March of Dimes Rhode Island chapter, who noted the money will go toward reducing Rhode Island’s 8.6 percent premature birth rate. By comparison, the national average is 9.6 percent, and the March of Dimes’ goal is to achieve the best rate in the world, currently held by Sweden at 5.5 percent, Mr. Sharpe said.

Oyster farmers from in and around Bristol donated their shellfish for DeWolf Tavern chef Sai Viswanath to prepare for the Father’s Day feast, the third annual event organized by local resident Gary Senuick and DeWolf marketing director Gina Colon.

The March of Dimes, a non-profit organization, relies on fundraisers like the Oyster Festival to continue its mission.

“The March of Dimes exists as an organization because of volunteers like Sai and Gina,” Mr. Sharpe said, noting the United States has a long way to go to address fetal health. “The U.S. does poorly, but we are making progress. That’s way this is so important. Babies are our future.”

About 380,000 American babies are born prematurely every year, causing a host of health problems for infants and mothers, and costing billions of dollars in excess health care costs, according to the March of Dimes’ website. The organization helps fund research to reduce prematurity, defined as a birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies who survive often have long-term problems, including cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, learning disabilities and hearing loss.

The March of Dimes’ mission is to discover what causes premature birth and find ways to stop it. The organization also aims to raise awareness among mothers and obstetricians about the dangers of inducing an early birth before 39 weeks without medical necessity. About 1 in 5 pregnant women have labor induced before reaching full term.

The Rhode Island chapter will host one of its largest fundraisers of the year — the Signature Chef’s Auction — on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick. In addition to dining on the creations of Rhode Island’s top chefs, guests will bid on live and silent auction items.

For tickets to the Signature Chef’s Auction, visit signature chefs.marchofdimes.org. To donate to the Rhode Island chapter, visit marchofdimes.org/rhodeisland or call 401-454-1911.