Welcome Family Teams!

January 2011

Dear Family Team Captain-

It is my absolute honor and pleasure to welcome you in joining our fight to make sure every baby gets their healthy start in life!  The March for Babies campaign is dedicated to funding the mission of the March of Dimes.  This event is so moving and powerful because its heart lies in the family teams comprised of those who have been directly touched by the mission of March of Dimes.  I am excited to meet you and hear your story!  I encourage you to check out our website at http://www.marchforbabies.org/ and share the information with your team.

My ties to the March of Dimes run deep.  It all began long ago when I made my first meager donation to the March for Babies campaign, formerly known as WalkAmerica, while I was a high school student working at one of our corporate sponsors.  At that time, there was no way that I would have ever thought that my life would be touched by prematurity.  I didn’t even know what the mission of the March of Dimes was. 

Now, fully aware of the mission, I know that both of my boys are March of Dimes babies.  Obviously, my second, born at 33 weeks benefited from the mission of the March of Dimes.  But my first son, who was born healthy at full term also benefited from the research funded by the March of Dimes that guided my prenatal care and newborn screening.  We walk for all of the March of Dimes babies in our lives and to help all babies get a healthy start.  We fight because babies shouldn’t have to!

It is my job to represent and support you in your effort as a family team.  I can help you set a fundraising goal, brainstorm fundraising ideas, and keep aware of all pertinent event information.  Enclosed in your packet you will find a lot of tools that will make your job easier, including t-shirt order forms, chocolate order forms and other fundraising ideas including some great March of Dimes merchandise at www.wristbands4awareness.com/mod_individual.

We also have a lot of great online marketing tools including your personal webpage that allows for online donations, an email generator, and a facebook application to help you approach your family and friends for their financial support and sponsorship.  Go to http://www.marchforbabies.org/ today and see how easy it has become to help give every baby a healthy start.

How many babies can you help?  Consider your total from last year and set a new goal; maybe 10% more than last year.  If this is your first year, set some goal.  I know I was shocked when I set mine and raised over six times it!  It’s amazing how people want to help you be successful.

I hope you will join us at our two March for Babies sites in 2011-- on April 30th at Battle Creek Health Systems and on May 7th at the Celery Flats Historical Site in Portage.  I will also be keeping a blog featuring information and pictures of the event at http://www.kalamazoomarchforbabies.blogspot.com/.

Sincerely,

Christi Young

March of Dimes 2011 Ambassador Family Mom