During our March of Dimes campaign April 5 – 26, we asked you to step out and join the march for healthy babies. You met the challenge and delivered amazing results.
Each spring, Publix and the March of Dimes team up to raise awareness for the organization’s mission and funds for healthy pregnancies and full-term babies. Fundraising events and the sales of paper cut-outs add up to a substantial donation to the March of Dimes.
The campaign wraps up with the March for Babies, the March of Dimes’ largest fundraiser. These walks take place in more than 1,000 communities nationwide, and thousands of you showed your support by walking.
Thanks to you and our customers, Publix raised an estimated $5 million for the March of Dimes. Since our partnership began in 1995, Publix has donated more than $46.4 million to support the March of Dimes’ mission and educational programs, such as the importance of folic acid during pregnancy campaign.
March over to Publix News Online at www.publix.org to see photos from our 2014 campaign and local walks across our operating areas.
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Atlanta Division
Charlotte Division
Jacksonville Division
Lakeland Division
Miami Division
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Atlanta Division
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Store Manager Jim Vinson and Assistant Customer Service manager Ryan Spurlock, #33, Marietta, Georgia, told associates they would shave their heads if the store surpassed their March of Dimes fundraising goal. When the store exceeded their goal and raised more than $16,000, Jim and Ryan celebrated with new haircuts. That day, National March of Dimes Ambassador Aidan Lamothe visited the store, and he joined associates in throwing pies at Jim and Ryan.
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Cashier Joy Patel, #548, Marietta, Georgia, led her store’s March of Dimes campaign. She organized a car wash and a bake sale for associates, which raised more than $3,200. With the help of customers, the store raised more than $10,700 for the March of Dimes. And, associates were excited to celebrate their fundraising success at their local March for Babies.
Associates from Columbus, Georgia, came out to participate in their local March for Babies.
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Charlotte Division
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Associates at #1383, Lexington, South Carolina, had fun raising money for the March of Dimes. Deli Clerk Mary Smith hosted a face-painting booth for families to make donations. And, Store Manager Michelle Nygren, Assistant Store Manager Marghuerita Smith, Customer Service Manager Trever Washington and Assistant Customer Service Manager Kristen Hathaway helped everyone get excited as they participated in a hula hoop contest to help raise funds. Thanks to generous customers and associates, the store exceeded their goal and raised $8,500 for the March of Dimes.
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Jacksonville Division
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District Manager Tony Zeaiter and Assistant Pharmacy Manager Kelly Shuford, #99, St. Augustine, Florida, encouraged associates to get involved at the March of Dimes campaign kickoff event. Kelly’s daughter Stella was featured on Publix’s 2014 campaign materials.
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Associates at #393, Jacksonville, Florida, had a great time with their Publix family throughout the March of Dimes campaign. Associates did a great job selling paper cut-outs and taking donations at registers. The management team also volunteered to sit in a dunk tank, with proceeds from associates benefitting the March of Dimes.
March of Dimes coordinators at #742, Altamonte Springs, Florida, had a creative idea to get the whole store involved and excited about the campaign — they held a silent auction for associates. Associates donated items or services like roller skating passes and lessons, free personal training sessions, car detailing, a framed photograph, a jewelry box and decorative wall art.
A little friendly competition among cashiers turned into big results, as #1398, Rockledge, Florida, raised more than $9,500 for the March of Dimes. The top selling cashier, Peggy McCrea, raised $1,600 for the March of Dimes. The store also promoted a power hour — cashiers who sold $25 or more in paper cut-outs could pick a prize out of the prize jar.
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Lakeland Division
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Associates at #4, The Villages, Florida, raised close to $11,000 — one of the top stores in the company. Store Manager Aaron Masilunis and his team organized an associate car wash and movie night to raise funds and build camaraderie. In addition, each department manager planned a themed lunch fundraiser — including tacos, pasta, pizza and hot dogs — for associates to benefit the March of Dimes.
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At #399, Tampa, Florida, associates held a car wash for their coworkers to benefit the March of Dimes.
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At #409, Sarasota, Florida, associates donated old ties for Cashier Kelly Jasper to design with March of Dimes themes. The store’s management team wore the ties to raise funds for and awareness of the organization.
Associates from #532, Brandon, Florida, organized and participated in a bowling tournament to raise funds for the March of Dimes.
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Associates from #1011, Palm Harbor, Florida, were excited to participate in their local March for Babies.
Associates at #1152, Parrish, Florida, were proud to raise $5,500 for the March of Dimes.
At #1219, Lutz, Florida, managers were seen “Dodging for Dollars.” Associates donated money to toss water balloons at their managers.
Associates at #1320, Seminole, Florida, had a goal to raise $9,000 for the March of Dimes. This picture shows the customer who made the donation to surpass $10,000 — making this store one of the top fundraisers in the company.
Associates at #1322, St. Petersburg, Florida, decided to have some fun in the sun while raising funds for March of Dimes. They organized a corn hole tournament at a local park and invited the stores from their district to participate.
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Store Manager June Quiva and Assistant Customer Service Manager Victoria Esquivel, #1337, Naples, Florida, helped drive associate and customer involvement and support of March of Dimes. The hard work paid off — the store raised more than $12,000 during the campaign, exceeding their goal of $10,000!
Associates from across Polk County, Florida, came together for the Polk County march.
Associates from District Manager Jason Macklin’s area came together and marched for babies at their local walk.
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More than 300 associates from four districts in the Tampa Bay area came out to support their local March for Babies.
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Miami Division
Associates at #1374, Vero Beach, Florida, volunteered at a Spirit Station during their local March for Babies. Publix donated water and snacks, and the associates handed them out to walk participants, encouraging them near the finish line.
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Associates gathered in Davie, Florida, for the Broward March for Babies. After the walk, associates celebrated another successful campaign with a cookout.
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At the Miami March for Babies, Regional Director Mike Meredith spoke to the crowd before the walk and thanked participants for supporting the March of Dimes. Associates from around the area volunteered to hand out snacks and water to walkers. Several other associates participated in the walk to celebrate healthy babies.
Associates from the Northern Region gathered together at the Palm Beach March for Babies.
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National March of Dimes Ambassador Aidan Lamothe visited #352, Lakeland, Florida, to thank Publix for supporting the organization. As the 2014 national ambassador, Aidan and his parents travel the country to share his story and help raise funds and awareness of the March of Dimes. Publix ranks No. 2 nationwide in financial support of the March of Dimes.
What better way to show off a successful March of Dimes campaign than on a billboard? Associates at the Atlanta distribution center purchased more than 5,700 paper cut-outs, which were showcased on both sides of a Publix trailer. In all, associates raised more than $10,000 for the March of Dimes.
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Manufacturing associates held a variety of events to raise money for the March of Dimes, including a bean bag toss, a silent auction for gift baskets and an Easter egg decorating contest. Across all manufacturing facilities and business areas, associates raised more than $28,000.
The March of Dimes coordinators at the Atlanta bakery plant decorated the facility’s main corridor with paper cut-outs, posters and other decorations.
Facility Safety Officer Lisa Luzetsky helped coordinate the Atlanta dairy plant’s March of Dimes campaign. The walls of the facility were covered in paper cut-outs and other March of Dimes materials.
At the Deerfield dairy plant, March of Dimes paper cut-outs lined the hallways. In just the first day of the campaign, the cut-outs stretched from one end of the main hallway to the other.
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Lakeland distribution associates held a kickball tournament for distribution and manufacturing associates to help raise funds for the March of Dimes. The produce dayshift team was crowned champions, the nightshift boxed meat/dairy team placed second, and the nightshift high velocity team took third place.
Associates in real estate held several fundraisers for the March of Dimes. They sold cupcakes, auctioned off baskets of goodies and encouraged associates to relax during 15-minute massages.
