WHITE PLAINS, NY, April 16, 2002 — As Justin Washington approached the cash register, he was greeted with a smile, a kind word and a bookmark. “Would you like to donate $1 for a bookmark that will help Kmart and the March of Dimes save babies’ lives?,” was the question posed to young Justin, the National WalkAmerica Ambassador, as he completed his purchases at the Astor Place Kmart in Manhattan. His answer was a resounding “Yes.”
Kmart stores across the country are supporting babies in their local communities with their annual March of Dimes in-store fundraiser. This year, Kmart introduced its new WalkAmerica bookmark, which will be available to shoppers in addition to the popular paper sneaker at Kmart stores across the country. As the top WalkAmerica team in the nation, Kmart associates and customers raised more than $3.3 million for the March of Dimes in 2001.
“Helping to save babies’ lives by supporting our local March of Dimes is an important cause for everyone in the community, “ said Kellie Marsalli, Kmart store manager. “The donations we make through WalkAmerica campaign efforts, like bookmark donations at Kmart, will stay in the local area to fund local community and education programs.”
Weighing less than two pounds when he was born four months premature, Justin Lamar Washington, 7, is today a warm, friendly and outgoing youngster who is serving an unprecedented second year as the volunteer March of Dimes National Ambassador. Justin and his parents travel the country for WalkAmerica, sharing their story with volunteers, community organizations, celebrities, business leaders, media and government officials to increase public awareness of the March of Dimes mission of saving babies.
At Kmart stores nationwide, the bookmarks and sneakers will be available for $1 through Mother’s Day, May 12. One hundred percent of the money raised through the bookmark/sneaker promotion and other in-store fund-raisers will be donated to the March of Dimes.
“Our associates really get behind the annual WalkAmerica campaign because so many of us are parents or have little ones in our families,” said Marsalli.
In addition to in-store fund-raisers, Kmart associates, friends and family members will lace up their sneakers and walk to save babies on WalkAmerica weekend, April 27th and 28th.
Kmart has been the number one national WalkAmerica team for 17 years, raising more than $33 million for the March of Dimes.
While shopping at Kmart, customers can pick up WalkAmerica sponsor forms at the service desk. For more information on WalkAmerica, contact the March of Dimes at 1-800-525-WALK, or visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com.
Kmart Corporation is a $37 billion company that serves America with more than 2,100 Kmart and Kmart SuperCenter retail outlets and through its e-commerce shopping site, www.kmart.com.
