Kmart and March of Dimes - Working to Improve the Health of Babies, Together

No one is working harder than the March of Dimes to fight the causes of prematurity and no company has done more to support the March of Dimes in this fight than Kmart. Our partnership with the March of Dimes links us with one of the most respected and successful not-for-profit organizations in the country. Their mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality is universal and resonates on a personal level with both our associates and our customers.

Since 1984, Kmart associates have worked tirelessly to raise money and support the March of Dimes mission of giving babies a healthy start right in the communities where we live and work. As a national sponsor of WalkAmerica, Kmart, its associates and our long-term devoted and generous customers, have raised an unprecedented $55.5 million - representing the largest, single donation by any corporation in March of Dimes history and an example of one of the most successful associate-driven initiatives of its kind.

Now in its 37th year, March of Dimes WalkAmerica brings people from all neighborhoods and all walks of life together to help protect the health of babies. Each year nearly half a million babies born too soon must struggle to survive -- that translates to one in eight babies daily. Prematurity has increased more than 30 percent between 1981 and 2003, making it a national crisis. Financially, it costs society billions. Emotionally, the costs are immeasurable. Our partnership with the March of Dimes is important to our company, but also to our customers - at Kmart, we feel strongly about giving all babies the chance for a healthy start in life and improving the lives of our customers.

In 2006, the incredible efforts of our associates and our customers proved, once again their responsiveness to the #1 killer of newborns--prematurity, by raising more than $6.2 million for the March of Dimes. Through our renowned in-store fund-raising campaign, customers purchased more than 5.4 million paper sneakers for $1 each, with 100 percent of the money staying right in our local communities. Fielding teams of walkers nationwide, Kmart associates, their families and friends, and our customers, came out on WalkAmerica Weekend to walk, volunteer and show their support of the March of Dimes.

2007 marks the company's 22nd consecutive year as the #1 contributor to the March of Dimes. We will once again conduct our infamous in-store promotion and associates and customers look forward to lacing up their walking shoes to participate in WalkAmerica at the nearly 1,100 walksites nationwide during April and May.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a multi-year, multimillion-dollar campaign to help the nation reduce the rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes English Website at www.marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Website at www.nacersano.org.

If you would like to support the March of Dimes and help give babies in your community a better chance at a healthy start in life, just click to make an online donation today!