March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that improves the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Premature birth is the number-one cause of death in children under age 5. Students across the country are helping to give every baby a fighting chance by spreading awareness, raising critical funds and supporting families affected by premature birth. Here are a few ways Key Clubbers can get involved.

  1. Spread the word about #worldprematurityday at school. Send a quick email to service clubs at your school or to the local March of Dimes national service partners. Ask them to support your efforts. This support can include telling members about an event or asking members to join a March of Dimes committee that you lead.
  2. Host a World Prematurity Day event.
  3. Wear purple, especially on World Prematurity Day (November 17, 2017).
  4. Light your school purple.
  5. Tell 10 people that November is Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 is World Prematurity Day. Post a message with a link to marchofdimes.org/worldprematurityday and encourage your friends get involved.
  6. Host a folic acid breakfast at school. Provide breakfast foods rich in folic acid, such as cereal, orange juice and bagels. Distribute March of Dimes handouts that explain the benefits of taking folic acid to reduce the risk of certain birth defects.
  7. Invite someone close to the cause—a health professional, researcher or someone who has been impacted by premature birth —to speak at your school about the March of Dimes and how it changed their lives.
  8. Contact a local March of Dimes office to get to know the staff. They can guide you to great volunteer events and opportunities for you and your school.
  9. Contact your local neonatal intensive care unit and volunteer at a NICU Family Reunion, where families return to visit with and support each other.
  10. Stay in touch with your principal or an advisor. This person is a great resource when you want to host other events.

Learn more about March of Dimes by visiting their website.