Before, During, After

Here's some things to keep in mind for your day at March For Babies:

Before the March - Visit all the tents, see the sponsors, use the restroom (especially the little ones!), and find your teammates.

During the March - Enjoy yourselves.  Take notice of the Path of Hope signs, reminding us all of the reason we are walking.  There will be water and restrooms available along the five mile route.  And if you're unable to do the entire walk, there's a "Tiny Tot Turnaround" after the first mile. 

After the March - Head to the Family Teams Tent and eat lunch, explore the other tents, and celebrate a job well done! 

What to Bring

Strollers - (if needed) – this is a long walk for little ones and we accommodate for strollers on the shuttle buses and at the park. (please no bikes or roller blades)

Sunscreen - forecast calls for a sunny day.  Time to break out the sunscreen and sunglasses!

Water - there will be water at the tent afterwards and along the walk path at checkpoints, but it is always a good idea to bring your own.

Snacks - you will want to bring snacks especially if you have little ones.  We will have lunch provided after the walk but there won’t be any snacks passed out along the way.

Cash/Check Donations and Sponsor Form - Please bring any cash and check donations to the Family Teams Tent either before or after the walk.  Please print off your Sponsor Form to ensure that the donations are posted to the correct team.  You MUST have your Sponsor Form in order to pick up your incentive t-shirt for those that have raised over $200.

Tennis Shoes - you will want to wear tennis shoes for this event.  The walk route is 5 miles, so good comfortable shoes are a must!

When and Where?

We've got only a few days left before we all walk to help save the lives of babies!  It's important to allot yourselves lots of time the morning of the March.  Buses begin transporting people at 7:00am and we advise that all walkers plan on getting to Norbuck Park by 8:00 (see previous post on parking).  Once you have gotten to to the park, please visit the tents set up especially for our Family Teams...

• Family Teams Tent - grab a donut, pick up your Tshirt (if you collected more than $200), and turn in any cash/check donations.
• Memorial Tent - visit for a quiet moment of remembrance for your baby that couldn't be at the walk with you, but will be in your heart with every step.
• Preemie Pit - congregate here (right by the stage) so that you're ready when the walk officially begins.

The March begins promptly at 9:00.  The map on the sidebar of this blog shows the map of the event.  Feel free to print it and bring it on Saturday. 

March For Babies Parking - A MUST READ!

It's important that your team have a plan for getting to Norbuck Park on the morning of Apirl 20th.  The day of the March there will be NO PARKING at Norbuck Park, so please start making your plans now for how you will get to the walk site.  Shuttles buses will be running all morning from Mockingbird DART station and White Rock DART station.  Shuttles will be able to accommodate strollers.  Free March for Babies Bus Transportation to Norbuck Park is available from Valley View Mall and the Mockingbird area as well. 

Calling All T-Shirt Contest Entries!!!

The deadline for the t-shirt contest is April 12^th – that's only 8 days away! Don't forget to enter your family team t-shirt!  Please send a sample to the March of Dimes office by Friday, April 12th for your chance to win! Winners will be announced from stage at the March for Babies opening ceremony.

 

Send entries to:

March of Dimes Dallas Office

12660 Coit Rd, Suite 200

 Dallas, TX 75251

LBailey@marchofdimes.com

The Tale of Two Tents

Besides walking on April 20th, the March For Babies offers a huge variety of things to do and see.  Please take a moment to stop by one or both of the following tents dedicated especially to the Family Teams.

Family Teams Tent

 

This will be located at the starting line of the March For Babies in Norbuck Park.  It is where your team can meet before the walk, turn in cash and check donations, and pick up incentive t-shirts for walkers that have raised over $200.  This will also be the place your team can meet after the walk to eat a light lunch provided by McAlister's Deli. There will also be small snacks, fruit, and water available.

 

After the walk, we will have lots of family fun activities for the children. We are happy to announce the return of our Family Teams Tent Sponsors led by Rogers-O’Brien and the McAfee Family. 

 

Memorial Tent 

 

We are launching a new tent at March for Babies this year called the Memorial Tent.  It will be near the Family Teams Tent and will be a place to remember.  Many of our Family Teams are walking in memory of a child that cannot be with them on March for Babies day.  We know that for every little foot that can walk with us, there are many others that are missing.  We want to remember these babies with you.  If you are walking for a baby that left too soon, please join us at the Memorial Tent before the walk.  We have a special gift for you and a Memorial Tree we would like your child to be a part of.