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March of Dimes WalkAmerica and Kmart Step Out to Fight Prematurity and Help Babies
Retailer Continues 18-year Team Relationship In America’s Oldest Walking Event
WHITE PLAINS, NY, March 12, 2003 – Kmart and the March of Dimes today announced the retailer will continue its national support of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica through its national Walk team efforts.
Kmart has been a national WalkAmerica supporter for 18 consecutive years, raising more than $36 million for the March of Dimes.
"At Kmart, we are committed to helping bring opportunities to our customers, communities and associates that expand on their knowledge and enhance their quality of life," said Kmart President and CEO Julian Day. "That’s why Kmart associates have proudly supported the March of Dimes and its mission to improve the health of babies, through participation in WalkAmerica."
Every year, more than 476,000 babies are born prematurely and many struggle to survive, yet the reasons for preterm birth are still not known. Recognizing the importance of finding the causes, the March of Dimes has launched a five-year campaign to raise awareness about prematurity and reduce the rate of premature births and made prematurity the focus of its WalkAmerica 2003, the annual national fund raising event that will take place the last weekend of April.
In support of the March of Dimes, Kmart is offering paper sneaker cutouts for a $1 donation at its store registers. The blue, white, red and paper shoes, symbolic of those thousands of people who lace up for WalkAmerica, are available in Kmart stores throughout the country.
In addition to the paper sneaker program, Kmart associates, friends and family members will participate in WalkAmerica in teams throughout the country in April. WalkAmerica sponsor forms are available at the Kmart service desk. In 2002, the Kmart team raised more than $2.4 million for the March of Dimes.
Kmart Corporation is a mass merchandising company that serves America through its Kmart and Kmart SuperCenter retail outlets. The Company’s common stock is currently quoted on the Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation Service (www.pinksheets.com) under the symbol KMRTQ. More information about Kmart multicultural initiatives may be found at www.kmart.com.
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