Kmart and March of Dimes

Kmart, March of Dimes and Discovery Health

Kmart, March of Dimes and Discovery Health are partnering to help more families know the joys of having a healthy baby. Each of these organizations has had a long commitment to giving all babies a fighting chance, and together they are a powerful and trusted resource for you. The best gift you can give your baby is nine months of a health pregnancy.

Working Together for Stronger,
Healthier Babies

Prematurity has increased more than 30 percent between 1981 and 2003, making it a national crisis. Each year nearly half a million babies born too soon must struggle to survive—that translates to one in eight babies daily. Financially, premature birth costs society billions. Emotionally, the costs are immeasurable. Our partnership with the March of Dimes is important to our company, but also to our customers —at Kmart, we feel strongly about giving all babies the chance for a healthy start in life.

The March of Dimes is inspired by all babies—those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive. They are the millions of reasons behind our urgent mission. March of Dimes carries out its mission in the name of babies, moms and families everywhere. They are babies’ staunchest advocate and Mom’s greatest fan. Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. With everyone’s support, the March of Dimes is funding amazing programs to learn ways to make more pregnancies go a full nine months.  One day every family will know the joy of a healthy baby. Until then, there is the March of Dimes.

Kmart is proudly celebrating its 27th year in partnership with the March of Dimes and 18 years as corporate sponsor of the annual March for Babies walks occurring nationwide every spring. During the past 26 years, we have raised over $79 million for research and programs focused on giving all babies a healthy start on life. As a result of the diligent efforts of our associates and customers alike, the company raised a record $8.3 million for the March of Dimes in 2009 through participation in the March for Babies fundraising walks, personal contributions and our front-line associates asking customers to make donations as they check out of our Kmart stores. Sears Holdings was recognized with a Volunteer Leadership award from the March of Dimes for our on-going support in raising public awareness of maternal and baby health issues. Our support has enabled the March of Dimes to help moms and babies by:

• Advocating for better health care coverage for the most vulnerable
• Fighting for better newborn screening standards in every state
• Providing the best information on healthy pregnancy and delivery
• Helping moms to overcome substance abuse with community outreach programs
• Increasing access to prenatal care with mobile clinics and transportation to doctors
• Educating generations of parents on the value of vaccination against disease

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier even, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

The March of Dimes is only one example of the several charitable causes supported by Kmart throughout the year.