march for babies blog

Photo by Karl Wint Photography

New York City’s celebrity chairs, Eli Manning and Venus Williams got thousands of walkers, families, and corporate teams excited about March for Babies in Manhattan! Official Broadcast TV sponsor, WCBS-TV, provided coverage all morning as thousands of teams, families, and corporate partners stepped off near Lincoln Center on Sunday, April 29th. Tennis star Venus Williams and NY Giants offensive lineman David Diehl led the walk and were joined by day-time television legend Susan Lucci, her daughter, Sage Spoonfuls founder, Liza Huber and Dora The Explorer.

Congratulations to New York City and a million thanks to their March for Babies celebrity leaders!

A big shout out to March of Dimes supporter Kelly Clarkson, who just celebrated her 30th birthday. And another big shout out to her incredible fans who continue their fundraising efforts for the March of Dimes in honor of Kelly’s birthday!

Through auctions and donations, they have raised over $20,000 in the past years in honor of Kelly. Keep up the great work, Kelly Clarkson Express Board! And thanks Kelly for all you do.

We have heard so many exciting stories from across the country at March for Babies this year! Today, we share Logan’s story:

Fredrick Logan Thomas was born 17 weeks premature. He had many challenges, but he defied the odds set by the doctors.

On April 28th, little Logan, at 14 months, made his first outing with his parents. Logan came to the Triangle Center March for Babies in Raleigh, North Carolina. Logan’s presence encouraged the walkers and sponsors and showed that their support is making a difference.

Tell us your story!

Photo by John Vecchiolla

Latin Recording Artist and International Superstar Thalia helped lead off March for Babies in White Plains, NY!

Surrounded by March of Dimes national headquarters team and thousands of March for Babies teams and families, Thalia brought great attention, media coverage, and walker participation to this year’s event! Alongside mission ambassadors, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, Westchester County officials, and March for Babies Chair John Tolomer, CEO of The Westchester Bank, Thalia joined the opening ceremonies and starting line of the walk cheering “Let’s March for the Babies!”

Thank you, Thalia! From your fans, followers and friends at the March of Dimes!

In photo: Jose Vazquez, Popular Community Bank, March of Dimes Miami-Dade/Monroe Division Board President; Niki Taylor, March of Dimes Celebrity Ambassador; Laurie Jennings, WPLG Local 10 Main Anchor; Felipe Basulto, TD Bank, March for Babies Miami Co-Chair; and Mike Meredith, Publix Super Markets, Inc., March for Babies Miami Co-Chair

Niki Taylor, internationally famed model and new mom, helped brighten the day at March for Babies at Tropical Park in Miami, FL!

She led this year’s opening ceremonies and walk festivities with her own family, including teen aged twin boys and five month old son, Rex! Niki encouraged fellow moms and families to sign up for March for Babies in multiple media interviews and social media for the Miami walk.  Sincerest thanks to Niki!  It was a pleasure to have her join our celebrity lineup for March for Babies this year!

Do you know a student or advisor who has shown incredible passion and dedication for the March of Dimes? Did your student group members excel in supporting our mission? March of Dimes Team Youth is giving you the opportunity to recognize these amazing students and (both individual and groups) and advisors through the 2012 Team Youth Recognition Program!

Each year, March of Dimes Team Youth honors our youth volunteers and advisors who have gone above and beyond their duties to show devotion and support of the March of Dimes mission in their local communities. Award recipients of the Team Youth Recognition Program are volunteers from across the nation who have made an impact in spreading awareness of the March of Dimes mission based on activities conducted from July 2011 – May 2012.

Student groups including National Service Partners, March of Dimes High School Councils, March of Dimes Collegiate Councils, and Youth Councils along with individuals are eligible to apply for the awards. Last year on this blog, we featured an amazing interview from the 2011 March of Dimes Outstanding Chapter Youth Volunteer, Annalisa Sega, a current sophomore at Southington High School in Connecticut.

As the school year nears the end, and we’ve heard about so many successful Prematurity Awareness Month and March for Babies events, we are looking for even more dedicated volunteers and advisors who have and continue to show passion and dedication for the March of Dimes.

The National Youth Council would like to thank all volunteers and staff involved with Team Youth for their commitment to the March of Dimes mission. We look forward to receiving your applications.

Applications must be submitted on or before May 30, 2012, and are available online now. The winning individuals and groups will be recognized in the summer and fall of 2012. Please contact teamyouth@marchofdimes.com with any questions.

In photo left to right: Samantha Harris; Richard Cordova, CEO, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Chair 2012 Los Angeles March for Babies; and Nicole Sullivan (Photo by Getty)

It was a beautiful day! More than 15,000 joined the Greater Los Angeles March for Babies on Saturday, April 28th at Exposition Park. The morning’s program host Samantha Harris (Dancing with the Stars, Entertainment Tonight), was joined by fellow March of Dimes Mom volunteer actress/comedienne Nicole Sullivan (King of Queens, Rita Rocks) in kicking off the walk with actress Cleo King (Mike & Molly) singing the national anthem. Many thanks to Farmers, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Kmart, and all of the top teams and volunteers who helped create a wonderful day for walkers, co-workers, and family teams!

Fundraising gives you the opportunity to be creative and unique! While asking your friends and family to donate to your March for Babies campaign, it’s great to keep things fresh and exciting. Here are a few fun ways to make your fundraising stand out!

Add incentives! Motivate your friends by promising creative goods or service in exchange for their donation. Trade exercise for funds. Offer to do 10 push-ups or sit-ups for every $1 donated. Carry a friend’s books for an entire day in exchange for a $10 donation.

Post baby photos! They can be March of Dimes related or your personal baby photos! Anything that can make your posts and e-mails more eye catching is great.

Promote your goal! People like to be able to help you get there. Don’t be afraid to increase your goal as you reach your first, second, or even third fundraising goal.

Write unique and personalized letters! Include fun items to make them eye catching. Include stickers or photos!!

Have friends help get the word out! Ask a friend who donated to post this donation on Facebook with a message encouraging their friends to do the same.

Grab their attention! Use the animated E-Cards, banners, and the Facebook application to help get attention! All of these and more can be found at marchforbabies.org.

Remember, going the extra mile can make all the difference in your fundraising!

Now lets hear from you!
How have you gone the extra mile with fundraising?

For many of us, March for Babies day is almost here! For school teams, company teams, family teams & anyone walking this weekend - here are a few tips to help you and your team get ready for the big day at March for Babies:

•Check the weather and let teammates know if they should pack a raincoat and/or sunscreen.

•Text a reminder about when and where your team will meet at March for Babies.

•Make sure any signs you want to bring are packed and ready to go.

•Pack the essentials and the maybe-essentials: a fully charged cell phone, your list of walkers’ phone numbers, T-shirts and Band-Aids®.

•Bring all cash & checks with you to turn in at the walk!

•Post a reminder on Facebook and Twitter to tell everyone you are walking, and ask them to help you reach or exceed your fundraising goal for healthy babies!

Where are you walking this weekend? What’s your #1 tip for other walkers?

March of Dimes Mom Thalia is mobilizing her fans in support of March for Babies 2012!

The voice of March of Dimes Spanish language mission and March for Babies campaigns, Thalia has been a strong supporter of our cause for Stronger Healthier Babies! She’s letting her fans and followers know that she will be at the March of Dimes National Headquarters March for Babies on Sunday! Thank you, Thalia!