Blue Jeans for Babies

What: A paid casual day whose proceeds benefit the March of Dimes mission to give every baby a healthy first start. Participants purchase a button that indicates they are permitted to dress down in blue jeans on the designated “Blue Jeans for Babies Day.”

When: Thursday, November 19, 2009, or any day during November (National Prematurity Awareness Month) that works for your business.

Where: Statewide

Who: Businesses, organizations and schools.

Why: In Connecticut, dollars from events like Blue Jeans are hard at work:

Helping Moms- The Connecticut Chapter grants $110,000 yearly to local community agencies to provide education, training and programs for high-risk pregnant women to receive prenatal care.

Hundreds of health professionals, doctors and nurses receive tools and education around risk reduction for preterm labor to reduce the number of preterm births in Connecticut.

Supporting Families- March of Dimes is proud to offer its NICU Family Support program at UConn Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut to provide information and comfort to over 500 of our families in crisis each year.

Funding Research- Over $4 million is funded in research at Yale University and the University of Connecticut to find causes and possible preventions for premature births and birth defects. 77 cents of every dollar goes towards research and programs.

For more information about Blue Jeans for Babies, participation or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Suzanne Galotti at the March of Dimes, 203-849-9800, sgalotti@marchofdimes.com