Kmart Supports March of Dimes(R) to Help Give Babies a Healthy Start
February 16 2010 - 8:01AM
PR Newswire (US)
Kmart provides customers with opportunity to support health and
wellness initiatives for mothers and babies HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.,
Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kmart is once again teaming up
with the March of DimesĀ® to raise funds to help improve the health
of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant
mortality. This is the 27th year that Kmart will be partnering with
the March of Dimes and their 18th year as a national sponsor of the
March for BabiesĀ® walk. "Our long-standing partnership with Kmart
has helped to improve infant survival and health in the U.S.," said
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "In the
time that Kmart has supported the March of Dimes, the rate of
infant death has declined dramatically. The dedication and
generosity of Kmart's associates and customers has helped us to
support the needs of families across the country." Kmart, the March
of Dimes longest standing corporate supporter and largest
contributor to its mission, has raised $79 million on behalf of the
organization over the past 26 years. In 2009, Kmart associates
raised a record $8.3 million through donations from customers as
well as friends and family to benefit the four million babies born
each year in this country. "The annual March of Dimes drive has a
special place in our hearts here at Kmart," said Bruce Johnson,
interim chief executive officer and president for Sears Holdings.
"Premature births affect both our customers and employees. Many
employees in our Kmart family have personally dealt with a
premature birth in their own families, so it means a lot to
everyone at Kmart to be able to make a difference in the lives of
families across the country and give their babies a chance for
healthy lives." Kmart hopes to set a new fundraising record this
year as it passes the $80 million milestone and help even more
families. Kmart customers can help the March of Dimes improve the
health of babies by making a donation of $1, $5 or $10 at any store
cash register through May 31. Funds raised through Kmart stores
support the complete range of March of Dimes efforts for mothers
and babies, including: -- Funding new and innovative research to
save babies from birth defects, premature birth and other leading
causes of infant death and disability -- Providing support to
families with a baby in newborn intensive care in 90 hospitals
nationwide -- Local chapter grants to help women get prenatal care
and have healthy pregnancies March for Babies, the nation's oldest
and best-loved annual walking event, will take place this spring in
more than 900 communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and
Puerto Rico. Support for March for Babies is part of Kmart for
Kids(SM), the umbrella program for Kmart's philanthropic
initiatives, which focuses on improving children's health and
wellness. "The dedication of Kmart associates to rally around our
March of Dimes efforts extends both in stores and in the
communities where we work and live," said Johnson. "I'm proud to
share that last year more than 1,750 Kmart associates walked in
marches across the country. Their personal commitments to giving
babies in our country the greatest gift of all - a healthy life -
is incredible." For more information on how to donate or find the
nearest March for Babies, visit http://www.kmart.com/ or
http://www.marchforbabies.org/. About Kmart Kmart, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass
merchandising company that offers customers quality products
through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith,
Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information visit
the company's Web site at http://www.kmart.com/ or the Sears
Holdings Corporation Web site at http://www.searsholdings.com/.
About March of Dimes The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit
organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters
nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of
Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth
defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The walk starts here
at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information,
visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. DATASOURCE: Kmart CONTACT:
Tom Aiello of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-7387, ; or Carolyn
Goldberg of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6947, , for Kmart
Web Site: http://www.kmart.com/ http://www.searsholdings.com/
http://marchofdimes.com/ http://nacersano.org/
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