LITTLE ROCK — Scotty Adams has a passion for fundraising, and has found a way to draw in the dollars with food. With pounds of boiled crawfish, potatoes and corn, Adams is raising funds and awareness for prematurely born babies Saturday.

Adams partnered with Baptist Health Medical Center to purchase a special infant bed, the Giraffe OmniBed, which incubates and protects a premature infant. Adams discovered how vital these beds could be when his son was born.

Aiden Adams was born Sept. 20, 2008, at Baptist Health. He was 16 weeks early and only weighed one pound, five ounces. When Adams was first told that the Giraffe OmniBed could help protect his son and aid in his development he immediately requested one for his son.

At that time, Baptist Health didn't have enough beds to offer one to Aiden. Adams asked if one could be rented, but that option wasn't available. Eventually Aiden was moved into a Giraffe OmniBed.

A Giraffe OmniBed is a totally enclosed bed that protects premature babies from elements that can hinder their growth and health, such as light, air and excessive touch. Brenda Goodhart, registered nurse and unit supervisor for Baptist Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, said it is important to maintain the integrity of what little health a premature baby has.

“Thirty seconds of moving can lose hours of warmth,” Goodhart said.

Some features of the bed include total enclosure with a heat lamp that regulates the temperature, as well as a cover to keep the light out, a humidity controller and an alarm system. Ciara McClanahan, a transport nurse, said these features protect a premature baby who needs all of his or her energy to stay healthy and keeps the baby from wasting needed calories due to stress.

After his experience with the dangers and risks that accompany a premature baby, Adams approached Baptist Health about purchasing more of the beds. Baptist Health currently operates nine Giraffe OmniBeds in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its ultimate goal is to have 18 beds, one for each unit in the NICU. Adams wanted to purchase two more through the fundraiser.

Dr. William H. Benton, the Baptist NICU medical director, said Craws for a Cause is helping the NICU in its goal of improving the facility. The transformation has included taking the NICU from a one-room, open space to separate rooms for each premature baby to encourage quiet, privacy and a more nurturing environment.

“The thrust of the NICU unit here, over the last few decades, has been [to create] a unit which is increasingly focused on improved outcomes for premature babies,” Benton said.

This year's crawfish boil will be Adams' third year of fundraising. The first two years benefited the Pulaski County Humane Society. This year he redirected his cause.

“Since I had a past with the [Giraffe Omnibed] and there was a need, that became the focus,” Adams said.

The Giraffe OmniBed costs $35,000, but Adams is working directly with a dealer to purchase two at a reduced price. He expects to raise enough to purchase at least two beds with the crawfish boil.

The bulk of the money will be raised with ticket sales to the event. Tickets are $30 per person in advance. Last year's event, held at the River Market pavilions, drew 2,200 people, and Adams said the number swells each year. This year's event has been moved Dickey-Stephens Park and the attendance goal is 4,000.

“Last year we were at capacity and had to turn about 500 people away at the door,” Adams said.

In addition to the ticket sales, the fundraiser will also feature a live auction, hole-in-one contest and a “Stuff the Bed” donation area. A donation area is also set up at www.crawsforpaws.com.

The live auction, which is new to the fundraiser, features items that include autographed baseballs and an autographed guitar from Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley, among other items. Adams said items are still being donated. The “Stuff the Bed” donation area is new this year as well.

The Giraffe Omnibed company is shipping two demo beds for the fundraiser so attendees can see how they work. Adams set a goal to fill one bed with cash donations.

The fundraiser won't lack entertainment either. Boom Kinetic and The Brian Nahlen Band will be performing live from a stage set up at the park. Adams said the music, food and cause usually keep attendees at the benefit all night.

“We're kind of a blue collar-type of fundraiser,” Adams said.

The event starts at 7 p.m. and goes through midnight. Adams is bringing in 15,000 pounds of crawfish to accommodate those who go back for seconds, thirds or fourths. Last year, Adams supplied 5,800 pounds of crawfish.

The supplier, Dwayne’s Crawfish Farm, located outside of Lafayette, La., is actually cooking the crawfish this year as well. Adams said he and organizers have cooked in the past, but decided to bring in help for the ever-growing cause.