Contact:  Nate Brown, (703) 824-0111, ext. 16, nbrown@marchofdimes.com

The March of Dimes National Capital Area Chapter is issuing a call for nominations for its Celebrando el Espíritu Latino awards, which will be presented October 26 in Washington, D.C.  Celebrando el Espíritu Latino recognizes community leaders who have made a significant impact in the Hispanic community in the National Capital Area through volunteer service.  A lifetime achievement award is also presented during the event.

To complete an online nomination form, visit www.marchofdimes.com/metrodc.  For more information on the nomination process or the event, please contact Nicole Vagnerini at (703) 824-0111, ext. 19.  The nominations deadline is Friday, August 31.

The event is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.  Proceeds from the evening will support local programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to reduce the occurrence of birth defects and premature birth.

Norma Montenegro, an evening news anchor at Univision TV affiliate WFDC, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

The black-tie event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Washington Embassy Row, 2015 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.  The program includes testimonials, dinner and live and silent auctions.  Individual tickets are $150; tables of 10 begin at $1,500.  To purchase tickets and tables online, visit www.marchofdimes.com/metrodc.

Local programs funded by the March of Dimes include the March of Dimes/Mary’s Center Mama & Baby Bus, which provides free prenatal and dental care to pregnant women in wards 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Washington, D.C.  The bus operates with a grant from the March of Dimes National Capital Area Chapter in partnership with Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish-language Web site at nacersano.org.

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