Kmart Marches Into 28th Successful Year of Helping America's Babies

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Jun 27, 2011, 04:21 ET

Company is #1 Fundraiser for March of Dimes

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kmart customers and associates raised a generous $8.7 million this year to support the March of Dimes March for Babies®, and organized the first-ever "Babies on Broadway" event that showcased efforts to give every baby a healthy start in life.

This year's fundraising efforts bring Kmart, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings, and the March of Dimes longest-standing corporate supporter and largest contributor to its mission, to a total of $98.7 million in donations to the nonprofit during their 28-year partnership.

"Kmart's accomplishment of $98.7 million in fundraising over the past 28 years shows the generosity and hard work of their customers and associates," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "We are grateful to have such a wonderful corporate contributor whose sustained partnership has helped our mission to improve infant health and survival. We are on our way to healthier babies every day thanks to Kmart's unending support."

The Kmart "Babies on Broadway" event held in New York City on April 20 was a stroll down Broadway with dozens of moms and babies, the 2011 March of Dimes National Ambassador Lauren Fleming and her family, and a number of Broadway stars. Supporters were able to sign a giant Franklin Delano Roosevelt dime recalling the history of the March of Dimes that also reached four other major cities including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Louisville, Ky., and Philadelphia in a reprise of the event called "Babies Off-Broadway."

The Fleming family can attest to the benefits to the health of babies that Kmart contributions have had over the years. Born three-and-a-half months early, Lauren spent the first five months of her life in a hospital newborn intensive care unit (NICU) where she struggled through respiratory distress as well as multiple surgeries for a damaged vocal chord and heart defect.

"With only a few health problems today, seven-year-old Lauren leads a fun and loving life, dancing, drawing and reading thanks in large part to Kmart's fundraising achievements," said Dr. Howse.

"We're thankful everyday for all of the help and support Kmart and its associates and customers have given the March of Dimes," said Nikki Fleming, Lauren's mom. "Having such a successful and supportive corporate partner like Kmart, raising millions of dollars each year, is what helps give more babies a healthier start to life. Without all of this help and kindness, Lauren would not be the wonderful loving child that she is today."

"Stories like Lauren's help inspire us here at Kmart to keep contributing and doing all we can to help the March of Dimes mission," said Clay Wahl, senior vice president of Kmart Retail Services. "Unfortunately Lauren's preterm birth is more common than many people think and affects thousands of lives every day including many of our customers and associates. Any helping hand that we can give to March of Dimes is an honor for us."

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ; SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Country Living and Route 66. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com.

About March of Dimes

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 by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

SOURCE March of Dimes