YOU ARE
the
March of Dimes
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
The heart of the March of Dimes is its volunteer
corps, and if you are looking for a place to make a difference,
we want you to join our team. March of Dimes
has an outstanding track record of success, and we are
prepared to accomplish even greater things in the
future to solve the problems of prematurity, birth
defects and low birth weight. This remarkable organization
was founded in 1938 by President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt to defeat polio. It was built as a
unique partnership of scientists working in labs and
volunteers raising money to support research and
help polio victims and their families. The alliance
turned out to be spectacularly successful. Today the
focus is on fighting prematurity.
“I got involved because I’ve seen the important
resources March of Dimes provides for families with
sick babies in the hospital and when they go home
afterwards,” says board member Mary Hogan, vicepresident
of business development for Northeast
Baptist Hospital. “March of Dimes can benefit from
whatever time you have available,” says Hogan. “So if
you want to drop in occasionally, help with a specific
event or work on something long-term, your service
will be appreciated.”
In the San Antonio division office, volunteers serve in
capacities such as event planning, fund raising, publicity
and administration.
“I really believe in the March of Dimes mission to help
babies,” says Venisha Canales, who was born premature.
The nursing student started as an intern, and now
Venisha regularly volunteers to staff events, design multimedia
presentations and help with accounting. “It feels
good to know you really make a difference, and the people
you get to meet are just fantastic,” says Canales.
“I may not be able attend every March of Dimes
function, but I’m often involved behind the scenes in
planning and generating publicity,” says Marcie Casas,
senior account supervisor for Guerra DeBerry Coody
and co-chair of the communications committee. The
communications committee is one of several standing
March of Dimes volunteer groups that meets on a
monthly basis. “It’s also a great opportunity to network
with colleagues and put our professional experience to
work for an important cause,” adds fellow co-chair
Christie Goodman, communications manager for the
Intercultural Development Research Association.
If you are interested in learning more about specific
volunteer opportunities in San Antonio, contact the
local March of Dimes office at (210) 696-1030.
In the meantime, remember this: When a baby gets
a fighting chance to live because his mother knew the
signs of preterm labor … it is your victory. When more
underserved communities get opportunities for prenatal
care … it is your victory. And when the researcher
who discovers the cure for prematurity wins a Nobel
Prize … it is your victory too!
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