March of Dimes


E-mail Newsletter: November 2006

Dear Team Youth,

The March of Dimes has taken on the significant challenge to decrease the preterm birth rate. To reach this goal, we have to let people know that prematurity is a common, serious and costly problem.

Now you have the chance to raise awareness! On Tuesday, November 14th, thousands of March of Dimes volunteers and staff will once again gather around the country for Prematurity Awareness Day. Contact your local chapter to get involved.

It's time to gather the support of your friends and family and take an active role in Prematurity Awareness Month. Read on for how to do this, from lighting up your school to ways to connect with other youth for new ideas, and how to volunteer to help premature babies in your area.

Thank you once again for your commitment to saving babies.

Cheers,
Rahul Bansal
Chair, National Youth Council


	It's Prematurity Awareness Month, Share Your Ideas; Get New Ones By Amelia K. Felz

Have you racked your brain about a new way to promote the March of Dimes? A new fundraiser? Or have a question that you just don’t know who will have the right answer?

Team Youth is here to help! Check out the new message boards on the Team Youth Web site for you to ask other youth from across the country the questions that have been boggling your brain.

Did your local chapter do an amazing project for last year during Prematurity Awareness month? Or do you need some help trying to figure out a good fundraiser to implement during WalkAmerica season?

With board topics ranging from club and organization partners to ideas for Prematurity Awareness Day on November 14, there is a topic for everyone. Share your ideas and get new ones from people across the country.

The next time you have a question or some helpful advice just jump on your computer and visit the message boards!


	Volunteering Spotlight: Help at your local NICU! by Katie Swink

Looking for the perfect Prematurity Awareness Month activity?

Volunteer at your local NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)! The NICU is for newborn babies who are born preterm or need special treatment or attention.

There are many wonderful ways you can help the babies and families of the NICU:

• Collect books to read to the babies as well as for siblings of the babies.

• Collect disposable cameras and scrapbooks for parents to make keepsakes.

• Assist with sibling hours, playing with and reading to young brothers and sisters.

• Decorate the interiors of the NICUs and the hallways to make it more festive and cheerful.

• Decorate shoeboxes for mothers who have lost babies to save their mementos in.

The NICU can be a very frightening experience for new parents. The March of Dimes NICU family support program is aimed at easing the transition they make into the NICU, and YOU can help make it even easier!

Contact your local March of Dimes office for the nearest NICU or NICU family support site to get started.

Project of the Month

	It's Prematurity Awareness Month, Light Up Your School in Pink & Blue!

Light up your school in PINK & BLUE this November 14 for Prematurity Awareness Day!

Posters promoting Light Up Your School in Pink & Blue are NOW available for free. View the poster!

To get posters, call the March of Dimes Fullfilment Center at 1-800-367-6630 and ask for item # 04-2033-06. Posters come in packages of 10; please order by the package.

View our guidance on how to light up your school in pink & blue (pdf 140k) and a sample letter (Word doc 28k) for administrators.

And make sure you e-mail us with your success stories & photos!

Grants & Scholarships

	Do Something BRICK Awards

	The Do Something organization is offering its annual Brick Awards for youth who have created "sustainable, positive change" for their community in the areas of health, community building, and the environment. Twelve BRICK Award winners will receive $10,000. Deadline: December 1, 2006 For more information, visit Do Something.

This November,

	Time to flip over those couch cushions, and sift through that sock drawer. We want to see where you keep your change! Send us a photo and you could be one of our daily Coin Stars! How to participate

In early October, more than 60 youth attended the March of Dimes Youth Summit, energized about the mission of saving babies. Part of the event involved a huge coin collection fundraising effort - check out the youth in action at YouTube March of Dimes.

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