2010 Family Teams T-Shirts

Are you intersted in buying Family Teams shirts, hats, or bandanas for your team? Visit E.A. Graphics online to order your National Family Team Shirt or use the template to creat your own using your child's photo. Shirts are offered in white or purple only from eagraphics.com/marchofdimes.
Email Stasia at svance@marchofdimes.com if you would like for me to send you the flyer .

Top Teams & Walkers This Week....

A big shout out to our fabulous fundraisers this week:

TOP TEAMS:

• The top team this week is AMOM!! They have raised a total of $2,435.00!! Way to go!!


• Team Brookie is also doing some amazing fundraising with $1,040.00!!!

TOP WALKERS:

• Our Top Walker this week is Miranda Heaston of AMOM who has raised a total of $770!


• The #2 walker is Jackie Kort of Team Brookie with $655!!!

Thank you for helping us to achieve our overall Family Team Goal of $155,000!! If you have not had a chance to do so, please sign up today at http://www.marchforbabies.com/. Prizes will be awarded to the top team and walker at the end of each month. GO FAMILY TEAMS!!!

Ink for Babies!

The first annual "Ink For Babies" silent auction art show is here! Local Austin artists have donated some of their favorite paintings to raise money for March of Dimes so that all babies will have a fighting chance! If you would like to come or participate please email krystalkattner@yahoo.com Family Team Captain of "Full Hearts, Empty Arms."

YMCA Family Night Out

Family Night Out - Saturday, Feb. 27th from 5-8pm
Bring the family and enjoy the Olympics at the Northwest Family YMCA!! Families will participate in a variety of team relays and games. So much fun!!

Fee: Free Members/$30 per family Nonmembers
March of Dimes Families - Enjoy this activity for FREE
March of Dimes Families are treated as YMCA Members for a night!

Call 335-YMCA to reserve your family’s Team Name.

Top Team This Week...

AMOM (Austin Mothers of Multiples) is the number one Family Team this week with $605! Way to go!!

TEXT TO HELP HAITI!!

The massive earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has devastated the entire country. As with any disaster, moms and babies are among the most vulnerable.
The March of Dimes is deeply concerned about the thousands of pregnant women and moms caring for infants and children.
The tragedy this week requires a special response. We are providing a grant to UNICEF dedicated to meeting the urgent needs of Haiti’s moms and babies. If you can help, please donate today.

Moms and babies in Haiti need your help urgently. If you want to act immediately, text the word BABY to 20222 to make your $5 donation. Donations made with your cell phone between now and February 15 will be applied to this effort.

Go Team Texas!!

Last week the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) began screening ALL newborns for cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is the last disorder to be added in Texas and part of the 29 disorders for which all newborns should be screened.

Thank you to everyone who signed the CF Petition to ensure every newborn baby has this important screening.

Remember, through our work with the March of Dimes, we not only help others, we change lives.

Stop by and Support Team Bryson!

If you live in Cedar Park, make sure you stop by and support Team Bryson! They will be hosting a bake sale at the Wal-Mart in Cedar Park located at 201 Walton Way.

If you have any upcoming fundraising events, email me and I will post them on the blog.
svance@marchofdimes.com

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

ALL DRESSED UP:
Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:
Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting. Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins. Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:
To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps. Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:
A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home. Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat. Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:

Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Never cut across yards or use alleys.
Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:
A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats. Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils. Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

© 10/09 American Academy of Pediatrics