March of Dimes Youth Times  
   E-Newsletter : November 2004
If prematurity has touched your family, you are not alone.
  Based on feedback we've received since the launch of our Prematurity Campaign in 2003, many families are looking for support and information from other families who've shared similar experiences. The March of Dimes is proud to announce an online community designed especially for families whose babies were born premature. Be sure to visit: marchofdimes.com/share.  
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From the Chair...
Greetings, Team Youth!

As 2005 approaches we are closer to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Salk polio vaccine being declared safe, potent and effective. Ever since teenagers nationwide stood up against polio by joining Teens Against Polio Campaign in 1955, students have played a vital role in advancing the mission of the March of Dimes. Every day, students like you and me make a difference, raise awareness, and inspire our peers to volunteer. Today nearly 50 years later, students continue to stand with the March of Dimes as we fight premature birth.

One in eight babies will be born prematurely this year. It is an astounding statistic that is only growing larger. Since 1980, the rate of premature birth has risen by 29%. One in eight is too many for America's babies, it's too many for America's future. To help realize a future where no baby is affected by prematurity, I ask you to help by participating in Prematurity Awareness Day on November 16th. Spread the word, visit clicktosavebabies.org and make your contribution to the campaign. Fifty years have passed and because of you, the March of Dimes and Team Youth are as strong as ever... let's keep it that way!

Saving babies, together,

Rob Davis
Chair, National Youth Council

 

Feature Story
Change Is a Good Thing

By: Katherine Fischer
 

Are you constantly acquiring more loose change than you know what to do with? Don't have time to count those massive piles of pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters? Well, you're in luck! The March of Dimes is proud to present a new partnership with Coinstar that not only will save you time and energy, but it also will allow you to donate all of your change to the March of Dimes. It just makes perfect cents (pun intended)!

Coinstar is a national network of more than 10,000 coin recycling machines located in highly visible areas of major grocery chains throughout the United States. To find out where your nearest Coinstar machine is located, just go to coinstar.com. In the days following Thanksgiving, Coinstar machines will allow you to donate your change to the March of Dimes just enter the March of Dimes code 1230. These machines also provide you with a great opportunity to easily count and donate any change that you have collected from events such as penny wars and coin box collections.

The donations will be tracked by zip code so that your donation will be credited to the correct March of Dimes chapter or division. The machine also provides you with a receipt showing just how much money you raised! The student or group that raises the most funds on behalf of the March of Dimes through use of Coinstar machines will be awarded an exciting prize! So search under your couch cushions, empty your pockets, and look on the floor of your car!

Together we can turn dimes into dollars and improve the health of babies! Contact your local March of Dimes office or go to marchofdimes.com/youth for more details.

 

National Brief
 
Tell us your story!
 

We want to hear from you and we want to see you, so send us your stories (ideally, with pictures!) about your experiences volunteering for the March of Dimes. Send them to Fred Gomez at: fgomez@marchofdimes.com.

Many of these stories will be published in future youthtimes e-newsletters and on our Web site, marchofdimes.com/youth.


Project of the Month
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  Help us fight prematurity by purchasing a virtual band to honor a child you know that was born premature (or not).
The 411
Chance to Win a $100 Gift
Card to The Sharper Image! sharperimage.com
Complete the "What Do Youth Think? " survey (click on link) and you will be entered into a prize drawing. The winner will be announced in next month's newsletter ... GOOD LUCK!

For October, the winner was Chris Hein of Manhattan, KS... Congratulations Chris!

Yoshiyama Award
The Hitachi Foundation award annually honors up to ten high school seniors from around the country for their community-service activities. The award is accompanied by an unrestricted gift of $5,000, dispensed over two years. Check the Web site for details at hitachifoundation.org

The 2005 nomination process will open December 2004.

Help Save Babies!
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Did You Know...

Tuesday, November 16th is Prematurity Awareness Day. Contact your local March of Dimes chapter to find out how you can get involved! View chapters list or visit clicktosavebabies.org.

 
 

Learn more about Team Youth and our Partners: