march for babies blog

March of Dimes teamed up with non-profit Operation Shower and The PGA TOUR to give more than 30 military moms-to-be the baby shower they truly deserved on Saturday, May 1.

Gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, diaper bags, books, toys and much more were provided by Kmart and other generous donors for the deserving moms whose spouses are currently serving their country. Kmart execs surprised moms by giving them each a brand new car seat to take home in addition to the other wonderful gifts.

Tabitha Furyk, wife of PGA TOUR star Jim Furyk, attended the event bringing the moms even more gifts. Also in attendance was PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and his wife Holly. Commissioner Finchem recognized the sacrifices that these moms-to-be make and the important role that they play.

The March of Dimes was honored to partner with our great friends at The PGA TOUR and Operation Shower to be a part of this very special day.

Find out more about the event on our March of Dimes Newsdesk!

At a special screening of the new film BABIES, March of Dimes mom and celebrity volunteer, Julie Bowen (left to right), the March of Dimes 2010 National Ambassador Joshua Hoffman, accept a check from David Brooks, president of marketing with Focus Features Films. The donation is part of a nationwide partnership between March of Dimes March for Babies and the new film BABIES which releases this weekend in time for Mother’s Day. The special screening was held in Beverly Hills, with the Los Angeles March of Dimes.

Several March of Dimes celebrity mom volunteers came out in support of the March of Dimes at the screening of the new documentary film, BABIES that was held at the Clarity Theater in Beverly Hills. Pictured (left to right) are actresses Kellie Martin, and Julie Bowen, both March of Dimes Celebrity Volunteers; and David Brooks, president of Marketing, Focus Features Films.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. won the friendly challenge with the Alphas in the 2009 March for Babies campaign. President Underwood, pictured 3rd from the left with other Zeta leadership, have no plans to let the trophy leave the Zeta’s headquarters in 2010.

You can see the Zetas receiving their award at the March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference last fall. Pictured L-R: Brent Minor, March of Dimes Board of Trustee member; Erma Fouchee, Florida State Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority President Sheryl Underwoond; Harris Brooks, Board of Trustee member; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Past President and March of Dimes LA Board Chair Dr. Barbara W. Carpenter and Stork’s Nest Founder and Chair Evelyn Brown

Who do you have a challenge with? Another Greek partner? Another school? Or just against your total raised the previous year? Share your keys to success in the comments!

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity President Herman “Skip” Mason asks the Alpha brothers to organize their March for Babies teams and raise funds for this important cause, in the following video.



Thanks to all Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members who walked so far in 2010 March for Babies, and all those planning to walk! Alpha members were spotted across the country this weekend and more are stil gearing up for upcoming events. Let us know about the success of your Greek life group or community organization at March for Babies in the comments section!

Celebrity volunteers joined more than 10,000 walkers for March for Babies in Los Angeles this past Saturday, April 24. Stars from the TV shows Modern Family, Days of Our Lives, and Rita Rocks turned out with their families and friends! In the photo, you can see Kevin Kelso, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Farmers Insurance, with ABC’s Modern Family co-stars and on-air mother-daughter team, Ariel Winter and Julie Bowen.

Farmers Insurance is the presenting sponsor of March for Babies in Los Angeles. March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, FedEx, Sanofi Pasteur, First Response, Mission Pharmacal, and Focus Features’ BABIES.

Check out the lineup of celebrity guests showing their support at March for Babies in LA!

Julie Bowen Modern Family
Dayanara Torres model, actress and former Miss Universe
Nicole Sullivan Rita Rocks & MAD TV
Nancy O’Dell Television Host, Entertainment Journalist & author
Camille Winbush The Secret Life of an American Teenager
Galen Gering Days of Our Lives
Ariel Winter Modern Family

Thank you Melissa Joan Hart, from the March of Dimes National Office team at the March for Babies in White Plains, NY, for joining us this weekend! Melissa and March of Dimes National Office Team Captain Vince Sampugnaro are shown here at the event.

How was your March for Babies this weekend? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Jordin Sparks, American Idol winner and Grammy nominated artist, plans to be at the March for Babies in New York City. And March of Dimes Mom volunteer Nancy O’Dell plans to walk in Los Angeles! Check out our press release for more details on celebrity walkers at March for Babies all over the country.

Where are you walking this weekend? Have a great time!

On April 16, the former Miss Universe and actress Dayanara Torres went on a tour of UCLA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with Los Angeles March for Babies Chair, Dr. David T. Feinberg, CEO of the UCLA Hospital System and associate vice chancellor (far left). She and Dr. Feinberg’s UCLA Team will be walking in March for Babies on April 24 in Los Angeles.

Dayanara joined other celebrity moms in activities to raise awareness of threats to infant health. Those celebrating a title as a March of Dimes Mom have included Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, Sherri Shepherd, Julie Bowen, Nicole Sullivan, Melissa Joan Hart, Kellie Martin, Garcelle Beauvais Nilon, Lisa Leslie and a full cast of celebrity moms who share March of Dimes love and commitment to the health of babies. Learn more about their involvement and share your March for Babies moments with us in the comments section!

Shawn Johnson, 2008 Olympic gold medalist and March of Dimes celebrity volunteer, distributed teddy bears provided by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart to moms at the Institute for Family Health on Thursday.

The moms were participants in a March of Dimes-sponsored group prenatal care program that has successfully reduced C-sections, preterm births and low birthweight babies.

Check out more photos from the day’s events!

Today’s message comes from Kelly Clarkson, March of Dimes Team Youth Celebrity Spokesperson and longtime March of Dmes supporter!

March for Babies is almost here. I always look forward to this. It’s great to see so many people coming together to help babies.

Thanks so much for joining us and for all your hard work. And thanks as well to your friends who are walking with you or who made a donation. Keep up the fundraising!

I can’t wait for March for Babies day, when we show our support for the March of Dimes across the country — what an awesome thing!

All the best,
Kelly Clarkson
Worldwide Recording Artist and March of Dimes Team Youth Celebrity Ambassador
Check out my March for Babies page!

Looking for fundraising ideas? Check out the Team Youth Toolkit (pdf).