Contact:  Jacki Apel, Director of Communications, March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter 252-5200 X23 or JApel@marchofdimes.com

March of Dimes Jail and Bail Announced

(COLUMBIA, SC JULY 20, 2009) The March of Dimes and the Columbia Police Department are cracking down on prematurity and other threats to infant health by “arresting” civic leaders, business professionals, and local citizens. The “Jail Birds” will “do time” and raise funds to save babies lives.

On Thursday, August 20, citizens will be “turning themselves in” to the mock jail at the Department of Justice at #1 Justice Square in downtown Columbia between the hours of 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.  The jailbirds will be convicted and sentenced to spend one hour in the “slammer” during which time they will call friends, family, and co-workers to raise bail in the form of donations to the March of Dimes. Columbia Police Chief Tandy Carter says, “Jail and Bail is a fun way to help the March of Dimes reach a very serious goal. Every hour a jailbird spends behind bars, they are helping us improve the lives of babies and families in our community. Earlier this year, we supported the City of Columbia’s March for Babies team. March for Babies is the largest fundraiser for the March of Dimes and a great way to get families and local businesses involved in doing something important for babies. We hope to raise $5,000 through this event.”

In a typical week in South Carolina, 173 babies are born too soon—that’s one every hour.  Many of these babies struggle to survive and may face serious life-long consequences.  Funds raised at the event will fund vital research into the causes and ways to prevent premature birth. Funds also will help fund March of Dimes community grants that fund local programs to help moms have healthy babies.
The South Carolina March of Dimes invested millions of dollars in program services, including research and local community grants.  Through these grants, the March of Dimes is seeking ways to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s increasing premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies. Anyone interested in participating as a jailbird or as an event-day volunteer, call the March of Dimes at 252-5200.

 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. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

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