A mother on a mission

JASONVILLE, Ind. (WTHI) - One mother is on a mission to help babies who are fighting for their lives.

Mandi Haseman has raised thousands of dollars for the March of Dimes, all money that goes to help premature infants.

Making Mandi, WTHI and Plumbers and Steam-Fitters local 157 Make a Difference winner.

For the past 5 years Mandi has spent her weekends pumping gas, selling candy bars and bears to raise money for the March of Dimes.

"If it wasn't for people like her my niece wouldn't be alive today," Tina Blythe said.

Tina's niece, Lyric, is Mandi's daughter.

When she was born she weighed in at just a pound. Now Lyric is like any other 5-year-old girl but her struggle led her mother on a mission.

She started Lyric's League bringing together her family and friends year-round to raise money for other children like Lyric.

"It's amazing she pushes you, she pushes us," Tina said.

While Mandi can hold her little girl she knows some mothers may not be as lucky, that's why every dollar counts.

"Even though I don't know them, I've been through it," Mandi said.

Mandi's been raising money since her daughter was born and she doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

"As long as I can and hopefully when Lyric gets older she'll go out with me," Mandi said.

Lyric's League will be pumping gas for donations again Saturday at Casey's gas station in Linton.

They'll also be selling baked goods outside of Wal-Mart.