march for babies blog

Post-walk donations can still add up!

Did you know that even if our walk is over, any donations we receive still count to earn us a gift card or to increase its value?

We have until May 31 to continue to raise money for vital research and programs — and get closer to earning a Kmart or Macy’s card gift card to spend in-store or online!

Raise $350: $15 Gift Card / $500: $25 Gift Card / $1,000: $50 Gift Card / $2,500: $125 Gift Card $5,000: $250 Gift Card / $10,000:
 $500 Gift Card / $20,000+:
 $600 Gift Card

We’re getting closer, so let’s keep up the good work. The more we raise, the higher the value of our gift card and the more we help babies and moms!

Exciting news! Singer Troy Cartwright is generously donating the proceeds and tips from “Change the World” to the March of Dimes in honor of our 75th anniversary. Troy is proud and excited to be supporting the March of Dimes:

“My older sister was born premature and received care in a neonatal intensive care unit, an idea promoted and advanced by the March of Dimes. It is a real honor for me to be able to give something back to an organization that has provided me and many other families so much joy. I don’t know where I would be without my big sisters and I know there are millions of other little brothers and sisters who feel the same way.”

Download it here!
To learn more about Troy, visit http://www.troycartwright.com

The two times I was expecting, the question I heard most often was, “Are you hoping for a boy or a girl”? It was a very typical question at a time when determining the baby’s gender before birth was less routine. I truly had no preference, and my response was always, “As long as the baby is healthy, it doesn’t matter.”

When I came to work for the March of Dimes and became more familiar with all they do, something dawned on me. I realized that my hope of having a healthy baby had been their hope, too. I was touched by the thought that this foundation has been devoting its research and programs to help my babies begin healthy lives. And in the event they had been born too soon or sick, treatments had been developed to give them a greater chance to survive and thrive. Absolutely nothing could mean more to me. Nothing in the world.

With Mother’s Day approaching, I can’t help thinking about the millions of babies born each year, and how the March of Dimes supports each of them through its 75 years of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. And what a meaningful gift it would be to honor a special mom by making a donation to help continue this lifesaving mission.

For moms. For babies. For health. For hope. For generations to come.
DONATE

You’ve done so much for March for Babies, but we’re still short of our goal. The good news is that the money you’ve raised so far is already supporting moms and babies in your community.

The numbers might be down…so think “UP!”

For every additional $100 you raise on marchforbabies.org via credit card or PayPal* between May 1 and May 8, you’ll be entered to win two round-trip tickets on United Airlines.

It’s actually quite doable. Maybe send a few more emails; ask 10 people for just $10; donate a little more to your own campaign; suggest making a donation to March for Babies to honor a special mom for Mother’s Day.

We can still get there…and you could be packing your bags. Good luck!

Restrictions:
• Challenge is limited to online funds raised between midnight ET on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, and midnight ET Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Funds raised before or after these dates and times will not count toward entry.
• Only donations made to individual walkers are eligible: donations made to a March for Babies team and not to a specific walker will not count toward entry.
• The travel certificates are valid for travel from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States/ Alaska/Canada/Caribbean/Mexico to anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States/Alaska/ Canada/Caribbean/Mexico. Offer valid only on UA flights operated by United and United Express. Travel is not permitted on other codeshare flights. Please note some codeshare flights may not have applicable booking classes available. Therefore, bookings are only permitted on flights offering applicable class of service. Travel valid June 1, 2013 – June 1, 2014.

Winner will be posted on Facebook

As you know, March for Babies is our biggest annual fundraiser that supports lifesaving research and groundbreaking programs for babies, moms and families. Our hopes were high, but we haven’t reached our goal…YET. You can make this happen. Even if your walk day has passed, your opportunity to help babies hasn’t.

Listen to this — if you go the extra mile for babies, you could be going places! For every additional $100 you raise on marchforbabies.org via credit card or PayPal* between May 1 and May 8, you’ll be entered to win two round-trip tickets on United Airlines.

You can be the lucky winner AND bring us closer to our goal!

Restrictions:
• Challenge is limited to online funds raised between midnight ET on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, and midnight ET Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Funds raised before or after these dates and times will not count toward entry.
• Only donations made to individual walkers are eligible: donations made to a March for Babies team and not to a specific walker will not count toward entry.
• The travel certificates are valid for travel from anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States/ Alaska/Canada/Caribbean/Mexico to anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States/Alaska/ Canada/Caribbean/Mexico. Offer valid only on UA flights operated by United and United Express. Travel is not permitted on other codeshare flights. Please note some codeshare flights may not have applicable booking classes available. Therefore, bookings are only permitted on flights offering applicable class of service. Travel valid June 1, 2013 – June 1, 2014.

Winner will be posted on facebook.com/marchofdimes.

March of Dimes New York Division Celebrity Chairman Eli Manning kicked off the New York City March for Babies walk today with March of Dimes President Jennifer Howse, Vice President and General Manager of GE Aviation Bill Fitzgerald, New York Division Ambassador Daphne and her parents, and Diego from Dora the Explorer!

Thanks everyone who came out to the New York City Walk!

Jordin Horowitz, Top Youth Walker; Samantha Harris; Linda Cardellini; Barry Simmons, Bank of America; Steve Henning LA Board Chair/State Board Member; and in Talia Sommer (in front) lead off the starting line of the March of Dimes California Chapter March for Babies walk at Exposition Park in Los Angeles.

More than 15,0000 walkers joined together for the walk for healthier babies! Wow!

Get ready to MARCH ON!

It’s the exciting countdown to March for Babies! Our hearts are full, our spirits are high and our will is stronger than ever to march on to help babies. We honor the families in Boston and support our nation’s children with our unified dedication to a lifesaving mission! The March of Dimes is working closely with local law enforcement to secure the safety of our events. So it’s all systems go for a very fun and rewarding day! Grab your T-shirts and sneakers and check out these last-minute reminders:

Reach out again to potential donors. Make sure to include the link to your personal fundraising page to make it even easier. They will receive a thank-you and tax receipt.

If you raised money online, print your personalized sponsor form from your personal page and bring it to your walk, along with your cash and checks.

If you raised all your money offline, download and fill out a blank sponsor form to record your fundraising efforts.

Contact your local March of Dimes chapter if you have any last-minute questions.

This will be a day like no other.
A day when we stand together in the fight to help babies have the healthiest start possible.



Ready…set…MARCH ON!

National March for Babies weekend is right around the corner! You’ve recruited your team, raised awareness and funds to support babies and families, and soon you will join more than 7 million people throughout 900 communities across the nation as you walk together for babies and families.

As you and your team gear up for March for Babies, keep the following preparation tips in mind to ensure it is a successful and fun event for everyone!

1-2 Days Before March for Babies
A day or two before your walk (or the morning of if you walk is later in the day) invite your team members to a t-shirt and/or banner making party. Create shirts for your team to wear as they walk for stronger, healthier babies and signs letting the world know who you are and why you are walking. This is a great opportunity to get everyone even more excited about the event!

Night Before March for Babies
Check the weather and let teammates know if they should pack a raincoat and/or sunscreen. Text, email or call your team to remind them about when and where the entire team will meet at March for Babies. Remember to plan time to take your team photo.

Pack the Essentials
As you lead your team, you want to make sure you are prepared for almost anything. Pack your bag the night before and include a fully charge cell phone, list of your team members’ phone numbers, team shirts and Band-Aids®.

Keep this information in mind as you prepare for March for Babies. And remember to encourage your team to share photos and your team’s success with March of Dimes Team Youth on Facebook (facebook.com/marchofdimesyouth) and on Twitter (@teamyouth).

Now lets hear from you:
What are your March for Babies essentials you pack before the walk?

March for Babies Los Angeles 2012

The Los Angeles March for Babies walk will take place this Saturday on April 27th in Exposition Park and it’s going to be an exciting day!



Joining us for a second time is Samantha Harris who will be hosting the event!



Fellow celebrity mom Linda Cardellini will join in this year’s Los Angeles March for Babies – it’s sure to be a fun time for everyone!

We truly appreciate the support of our celebrity partners helping raise funds and awareness for the March of Dimes!

It’s still not to late to join a walk - click HERE to register now!