March of Dimes


E-mail Newsletter: December 2006

Dear Team Youth,

After a very successful Prematurity Awareness Month I would like to thank you all for your energy and commitment in educating your peers about the serious problem of premature birth. Remember, however, that it doesn’t stop here. Prematurity is a common, costly and serious problem affecting more than half a million babies in this country. We must continue to educate others every day.

In 2007, the National Youth Council and youth volunteers from across the nation embark on an enormous mission – to increase youth WalkAmerica fundraising by 12%!

How can you help Team Youth reach this goal? Visit our Team Youth Web site for fundraising ideas and share your ideas with others on our new message boards.

Cheers,
Rahul Bansal
Chair, National Youth Council


	WalkAmerica 2007, Almost! By Brittany Wince

With the cold weather upon us, we know that just around the corner is WalkAmerica season. Winter chills turn into warm breezes, sunny skies, flip-flops - and walking!

WalkAmerica 2006 was a great success for the March of Dimes, and especially for Team Youth. We reached our goal of double digit growth - raising 12 percent more than in 2005! We hope that the 2007 WalkAmerica will be just as successful, so keep up all of the good work.

As you begin forming your teams, keep in mind that there are resources available at the TeamYouth Web site that give you ideas. Feel free to post any innovative ideas that you may have on the message boards.

Remember to be creative; ask your friends for some of their spare change, or ask your friends’ parents to donate baked goods to a cake walk. And if you need any help, feel free to contact your your National Youth Council member for encouragement and support.


	Successful November! by Melanie Evans

	As Prematurity Awareness Month has come to an end, let’s take a moment to appreciate all of the fabulous things Team Youth did in November! On Wednesday, November 8th, a Chain Reaction Council in Indiana charged students to wear a hat to school, an activity that would usually be against the school dress code. The students had the opportunity to wear a previously forbidden item while raising money and awareness to save babies! The creativity doesn’t end there: in Michigan, 11 area schools joined together to raise more than $24,000 in support of the March of Dimes in BREADLIFT 2006. More than 600 teens in one town canvassed neighborhoods, exchanging loaves of bread for donations. Nine other schools joined in, and the teens topped expectations in the 46th year of this event. These represent only a smattering of the amazing things Team Youth did in November. Skylines and schools were lit up in pink and blue all over the country, and fundraising occurred at schools, sporting events, and throughout communities. Let’s extend this momentum for the coming months into WalkAmerica season!

Project of the Month

Holiday Bears for Babies!

Looking for a fun gift idea, club project, or holiday decorations?

Check out holiday & winter plush toys at Plushland or Calplush to sell as fundraisers for the March of Dimes! Bears displayed are Plushland products.

Grants & Scholarships

	Disney Adventure All-Stars

	Working on a volunteer project? Send a write-up to Disney Adventure All Stars and receive a High School Musical Mini Poster. Judges will then choose one kid all-star winner, one team all-star winner, and one school all-star winner. Entries are due April 1, 2007. Learn more!



	Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarships

	Discover Card sponsors the Tribute Award Scholarship Program for high school juniors to applaud exemplary accomplishments and to support continued education and training beyond high school. Applications and more details are available at Discover Card.



	PAUSE It only takes a minute to change your life

	"A PAUSE is about finding time to get the facts, and using those facts - not impulses - to help make decisions." Check out PAUSE for information about your mind, body and relationships - view PSA's, browse for info, and visit their Take Action links that the March of Dimes.

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Learn more about Team Youth and our Partners:

* March of Dimes Team Youth  * FBLA-PBL  * Key Club
* Circle K   * Gamma Sig Sig   * Delta Sigma Phi
* America's Promise   * FCCLA
* Top Ladies of Distinction Top Teens of America