March of Dimes

E-Newsletter : October 2004

Greetings, Team Youth!

Welcome to our new and improved youthtimes e-newsletter! Youth volunteers are essential to the March of Dimes. We need your help in getting the message out to your friends at school and in your neighborhood. So send this newsletter to a friend!

Since 1955, young people have not only raised millions of dollars for the March of Dimes, but also have raised awareness among millions of people nationwide about the importance of saving babies through research, advocacy and community programs.

This November, during Prematurity Awareness Month, young people have an opportunity to participate in a very important campaign for the March of Dimes; the fight to save babies from preterm birth. In this newsletter, you will find information on how to get involved. Together, we CAN make a difference.

Saving babies, together,

Rob Davis
Chair, National Youth Council


	Prematurity Awareness Day A fun way to earn community service credit!

	As many as 1 in 8 babies (more than 470,000 a year) is born prematurly. Some die; many face lifelong disablity. Tuesday, November 16, 2004 is Prematurity Awareness Day and you can help! To get started click on the links below: Contact your local March of Dimes Office. View All Chapters Download the Prematurity Awareness Guide for Youth Volunteers: (167k Adobe Acrobat) For more information or added support, contact your National Youth Council Regional Vice Chair: - Northern Region: Erin Ledger - Southern Region: Courtney Owen - Western Region: Jennifer Ceci


	Our 50th Anniversary is coming!!!

As we approach the 50th anniversary of youth volunteer leadership for the March Dimes, you will be hearing more about new directions in the March of Dimes Youth Program. We plan to provide you with more opportunities for health education, leadership, fund raising, communications, networking and having fun!

But we want to hear from you FIRST. By completing the "What Do Youth Think" survey (see "The 411" section of this newsletter), you can let us know what is most important to you and what you want to see in the coming year. Or just send an e-mail with all your ideas to Fred Gomez at: fgomez@marchofdimes.com.

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 publishing in future youthtimes e-newsletters and on our web site, marchofdimes.com/youth

Subscribe TODAY!

If you would like to Subscribe:

CLICK HERE.


The 411

	Chance to win a $100 gift card to The Sharper Image! (www.sharperimage.com) Download, complete and return the " What Do Youth Think?" survey. You will be entered into a prise drawing. The winner will be announced in an upcoming newsletter... GOOD LUCK! Brick Awards Honor Youth that 'Do Something' Dubbed by CNN "the Oscars of youth service awards," the Do Something Brick Awards recognize and financially support dynamic young leaders up to age 25 for outstanding community leadership. Winners receive engraved bricks, $5,000 scholarships and $5,000 community grants, and will be honored at the annual Brick Awards Gala in New York City. For more information, visit www.dosomething.org/brick-awards. Application deadline is Nov. 1. Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Program Each year three exceptional teachers are recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for their outstanding commitment to teaching their students about America and patriotism. Nominations must be received by November 1, 2004 by a local VFW Post. For additional information about this program please refer to www.vfw.org.

That there are more than 1 million members of Team Youth (the March of Dimes youth program) nationwide.

Learn more about Team Youth and our Partners:

• MOD’s Team Youth • FBLA-PBL • Key Club
• Circle K • Gamma Sig Sig • Delta Sigma Phi • Top Ladies of Distinction Top Teens of America