Myers Park, the Carolina Panthers, and the March of Dimes Team Up to Get Babies Off to a Healthy Start
As members of the March of Dimes' Chain Reaction
Youth Leadership Program, IB sophomores Lauren Ross and Linzy Markus are
providing leadership development opportunities for their peers and raising
funds for the March of Dimes and its Campaign for Healthier Babies. On March
11, 2004, they invited Brentson Bucker, Carolina Panther defensive tackle
and March of Dimes spokesperson, to speak to students and recruit walkers
for WalkAmerica. He signed hats and team photos for a $1 donation. They
were able to raise $260, about 1/4 of our total goal for Myers Park's March
of Dimes initiative!
The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve
the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. It
carries out this mission through programs and research, community services,
education, and advocacy. President Franklin Roosevelt established March
of Dimes in 1938 to save America's youth from polio. His premise was that
people can solve any problem if they work together. And within 17 years,
the Salk vaccine had been developed and polio was on the run. The Myers Park IB program encourages activities
that complement the academic program by providing students with opportunities
for leadership and community service. "Lauren and Linzy are doing more
than recruit walkers for WalkAmerica and money for March of Dimes"
said Dr. Ron Thomas, their advisor and IB Coordinator. "As members
of the IB Student Council, they understand the moral responsibilities of
leadership and are prepared to exercise leadership in service to society
in a variety of ways." |
Myers
Park High School has partnered with the March of Dimes and Carolina Panthers
to help give all babies a fighting chance against threats to their health:
prematurity, birth defects, and low birthweight. We thus join a network
of researchers, out-reach workers, educators, and advocates who are working
to make a difference in the lives of millions of babies.
WalkAmerica
is the March of Dimes biggest fundraiser; it supports lifesaving research
and innovative programs that save babies from prematurity, birth defects
and other infant health problems. The Charlotte WalkAmerica will be held
on Saturday, March 27, 2004.