One Florida Mom is Especially Grateful
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., FEB. 12, 2009 – Kmart® and the March of Dimes kick off their 26th annual fundraising campaign on behalf of America’s mothers and babies on February 15 by pledging to further support the needs of families across the country.
Melanie and Lee Hoffman of Weston, Fla., are Kmart customers who say their family has benefited directly from the partnership between Kmart and the March of Dimes. Melanie was less than 6 months into her first pregnancy when she went into premature labor. Her son, Joshua, weighed just 1 pound, 11 ounces. He remained in newborn intensive care for 3-1/2 months, and doctors treating him did not know whether he would ever walk, talk, see, or hear. But today, after an immense amount of hard work, patience, determination, hope, and courage, backed up by the research, treatment, and programs of the March of Dimes, Joshua has beaten the odds against him to become a happy, active kindergartner who loves swimming, horseback riding, and playing the piano. He now has a little brother, Alex, age 4, who was born healthy and full-term after Melanie received hormone treatment.
“We’re so grateful to the March of Dimes for supporting the advances that saved Joshua’s life,” says Melanie Hoffman. “We want everyone in America to join the March of Dimes and Kmart in their campaign this year to help more babies like Joshua to survive and thrive. Our family shops at Kmart, and we urge everybody to go into the stores and give what you can to help. Even in these tough economic times, nothing is impossible for our babies, and I know we can be successful together.”
“Nobody does more than Kmart to help the March of Dimes champion the needs of America’s babies,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “This is a historic partnership that helped improve infant health and survival for 25 years. Kmart associates and customers have embraced the March of Dimes mission and they support our annual March for Babies campaign.”
"We’ve shared the March of Dimes passion to improve the health and well-being of babies for over 26 years,” said Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer for Kmart. “Kmart is about providing smart options and partnerships that our customers and associates can not only actively participate, but feel good about donating their time as well as their money. That’s why we’re working with the March of Dimes.”
Funds raised through Kmart stores support the complete range of March of Dimes efforts for mothers and babies. In 2009, these funds will support a number of critical March of Dimes maternal and child health objectives, 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.
Kmart also is committed to helping educate moms about healthy pregnancies. Pharmacists will distribute March of Dimes educational material on prenatal care in English and Spanish.
The nation’s oldest and best-loved annual walking event, March for Babies® will take place this spring in more than 900 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
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 9.
Kmart is the March of Dimes longest standing corporate partner and largest contributor to its mission, having raised $71 million over the past 25 years. Last year’s successful March for Babies effort alone raised more than $8 million.
Support for March for Babies is part of Kmart for Kidssm, the umbrella program for Kmart’s philanthropic initiatives, which focuses on improving children’s health and wellness.
About the 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.
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, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation Web site at www.searsholdings.com.
