Describe: I volunteer for the March of Dimes, as many of you already know. This organization is very near and dear to my heart as I take care of many children who are either premature or who have birth defects. The March of Dimes raises money, awareness and community support for these vulnerable, diverse and underserved little individuals. I volunteer in our local chapter and support the projects that help our local premature community. I also advocate politically for this organization.
Examine: For this portion of the semester, I have focused my efforts on our organizational representation for the up-coming March for Babies Walks we have annually on the Eastern Shore. There are 3 walks and last year these walks raised $147,000 for the cause. This year's goal is $150,000. Peninsula Regional Medical Center is the organization where I practice. Our team is a presenting sponsor and silver award fundraiser. Our PRMC team raised over $16,000 for the chapter at the walks in 2011. Our goal for this year is $20,000. As a team coordinator, I help launch the kick-off luncheon that organizes the team captains for all the organizations in the community. Perdue, Pepsi, State Farm Insurance and PRMC are 4 of the biggest local sponsors with huge teams that walk for the cause.
Articulate the Learning: One of the greatest things that I see, is that despite the downturning economy, our fundraising has not diminished but continues to exceed the prior year's donations. This year's kick-off luncheon was the biggest ever. On February 15, 2012 the luncheon hosted over 125 team captains and their co-captains. I participated in the set-up of this luncheon with the division director and the special events coordinator. The awards for 2011 were distributed and our family ambassador (who I was instrumental in involving) spoke and brought Gavin, her prior preemie 16 month old. Heather is not only a mother of a preemie, but an NICU nurse, as well. She was able to bring a unique perspective to the tragedies and triumphs of prematurity.
I do many things for the March of Dimes. I volunteer, advocate and educate. I also work with these infants on a daily basis and see the long-term impact prematurity or birth defects can have on a family and a community. It is inspiring to see many individuals come together for such a great cause. The shortcomings of this service learning education is that I don't have more time to volunteer. Between working full-time and completing my DNP capstone project, I can only get about 4 hours of time in every 8 weeks. I would have loved to have gone to Washington, D.C. with Nicole Scharf, our Division Director to lobby for the MOD on February 20, 2012, but alas, I had to work.
Anyhow, I am gearing up for the April 22, 2012 walk in Salisbury, Maryland and will update you all then!
Thank you,
Angie Houck
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Peninsula Regional Medical Center 2012 Team Walk T-shirt
