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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Angie,
ReplyDeleteThe March of Dimes is a worthy service learning project! Fundraising is never ending but oh so needed. Your contributions to organizing and developing the program I am sure take more than four hours every eight weeks. Helping to put on a luncheon takes more than four hours in itself! I feel people are generous when they know it will help a baby. I am returning on a mission trip this summer to Sierra Leone and our primary focus will be to encourage women to come to the clinic for prenatal care and delivery of their babies. This country saw a huge drop (from 150 deaths/1,000 births to 80 deaths/1,000 births) in infant mortality in 2010 when they started providing prenatal and delivery of babies for free. The United States infant mortality rate is about 6 deaths/1,000 births. Thanks to the work of organizations such as The March of Dimes, infant mortality and birth defects have decreased over the years. Breast feeding will be another focus of our trip to Sierra Leone since women give up breast feeding because there is no one there to teach and support them. I will be going with a lactation specialist to provide education and support to these women.
Good luck with your MOD walk in April!
Index Mundi, (2011). CIA world factbook. Retrieved from http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=29&c=us&l=en
Margaret Orn
Thanks for sharing. Even though you are not able to spend as much time as you would like every little bit helps. Good luch with your MOD walk in April
ReplyDeleteHi Angie,
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job with the March of Dime activities. I had the privilege of participating in the March of Dime walk in 2010; it was a rewarding thing to do. I was involved in the fund raising, representing my hospital as well as the actual walk. My hospital was able to raise a substantial amount of money that year. I missed the walk for 2011 due to my pursuant of the DNP. However, I plan to recommit myself to this great organization in the future. It is so impressive to know that the organization's support has been very fruitful - 6 deaths/1,000 birth. It was a huge improvement.
Thank you Angie for given of yourself, and I wish you all the best for your up-coming event (MOD walk).
Cathy Oni
Thank you Margaret, Cathy and Cathy:-)
ReplyDeleteAngie