March of Dimes


E-mail Newsletter: March 2007

Greetings, Team Youth!

With warmer weather and spring around the corner comes the excitement of WalkAmerica! For me, WalkAmerica symbolizes the hope that we all share for America’s babies.

I think of our National Ambassador, Ezekiel, who was born weighing just 1 pound, 14 ounces and spent the first 103 days of his life in neonatal intensive care. Today Zeek is 8 years old and traveling the country to raise awareness of the March of Dimes mission!

A Youth Toolkit for WalkAmerica is available on the Team Youth Web site that will provide you with all the information you need to start or expand your WalkAmerica efforts.

And be sure to check out the paid internship opportunity with the March of Dimes through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program in the article below. Apply soon. The deadline is Friday, March 9!

Thank you for all your energy and commitment. I look forward to hearing all your success stories!

Happy fundraising,
Rahul Bansal
Chair, National Youth Council


	Fresh Ways to Fundraise! By Megan Myers

Grab your tennis shoes—WalkAmerica season is here again! It’s time to team up with your family and friends to join the walk that saves babies. As a youth volunteer, your spirit and energy is essential in spreading the message that every baby deserves a healthy start!

Visit walkamerica.org and type in your zip code to find your closest WalkAmerica 2007 location. You can also register yourself as a walker or start a new team online.

Take advantage of the site's cool features to invite others to join you on the day of the walk! Consider sharing videos about WalkAmerica 2007 as real-life examples of how the March of Dimes impacts lives every day.

There are many great ways to get your local schools and community engaged in WalkAmerica. Consider some of the following ideas as you look to make your mark this spring:

• Plan a WonderWalk or WalkMania event for your local elementary and middle schools
• Place table tents on lunch tables at your high school or university
• Hold a coin drive and collect a “Mile of Dimes”!
• Decorate your school’s common area with pink and blue balloons. Have a table set up to pass out information about WalkAmerica
• Approach the leaders of any of the March of Dimes National Partners (listed at bottom of e-newsletter) asking them to participate in WalkAmerica
• Invite all your friends to WalkAmerica using Facebook groups and invitations
• Find more resources on the Activities page of the Team Youth Web site

Your support of WalkAmerica 2007 helps to provide hope and optimism for them throughout the year. Together we can reach a day where every baby is born healthy.


	National Partner: FBLA-PBL by Ross Squires

For nearly 40 years, the March of Dimes has partnered with the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) to help educate millions of high school and college business students and fundraise more than 15 million dollars.

Spring is an especially exciting time for FBLA-PBL as they host their state conferences. At many of these conferences, FBLA-PBL members participate in activities that support the March of Dimes, from Mini WalkAmericas to Blue Jeans for Babies Dances.

In November, FBLA-PBL members came together in four locations across the country for their National Fall Leadership Conferences. At these conferences, members became more familiar with the Teen-2-Teen series and WalkAmerica. In addition, members attended their respective Blue Jeans for Babies Dances and raised more than $6000!

As we’ve moved forward through the year, numerous FBLA schools are implementing the Teen-2-Teen Series to educate themselves and their peers about the importance of healthy choices.

Other FBLA- PBL chapters are forming WalkAmerica teams to compete with others this spring, and we wish the best of luck to them as they continue to raise money and awareness for the March of Dimes. And, FBLA-Middle Level has joined us as a new partner this year!

Thank you to the efforts of each FBLA-PBL member!

Opportunity of the Month

Bank of America "Student Leaders Program"

Junior and senior high school students, this is your chance to make an impact on your community by applying for the “Student Leaders Program” sponsored by Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence InitiativeTM. This program includes a paid summer internship at a local March of Dimes chapter.

To apply online, visit the Bank of America Foundation Web site. Please include the March of Dimes name in the answer block: “How did you learn about this Student Leaders Program?”

Don’t miss out! Applications must be turned in by Friday, March 9, 2007.

Grants & Scholarships

	Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community

	The Hitachi Foundation presents the Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community each year to 10 high school seniors from around the United States on the basis of their community service activities. The 2007 online nomination process is now open; nominations are due April 2, 2007.



	"My Hometown Helper" Community Improvement Grants are Available

	Hamburger Helper(TM) is looking to lend a helping hand to neighborhoods nationwide with its "My Hometown Helper" grant program. Individuals from schools, communities and organizations across America can submit a written essay of 250 words or less describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would help improve their community project. Up to $15,000 in funding is available. For eligibility rules and instructions, visit their Web site. Applications are accepted through May 2007.

You can get a great summer internship with the March of Dimes! Apply online for the Bank of America "Student Leaders Program" (due March 9).

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