? Thousands of motorcyclists hit the highway on Long Island Sunday to raise money for the March of Dimes in the fight against premature births.

The 3,000 riders started at Nassau Coliseum and finished at Brookhaven Town Hall. Twisted Sister?s Dee Snider was behind the fourth annual event. Snider says two of his four children were born premature, but healthy. He sympathizes with parents who are less fortunate. Long Island mother Kristin Pezzuto is thankful for the effort. Her son Bradley weighed in at less than three pounds at birth.

Organizers predict the event raised more than $100,000 to help the March of Dimes, which funds research on the issue.