Macy’s hosts event to benefit the March of Dimes

Macy’s invites customers to participate in its 12th annual Shop For A Cause charity event benefitting the March of Dimes, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 13, according to a press release. Macy’s Shop For A Cause is a four-day shopping event created to support the fundraising efforts of nonprofit organizations. Since 2006, the program has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charities across the country. New this year, Macy’s partnered with the March of Dimes to produce a short film titled, “First Hug,” which can be viewed online at macys. com/SFAC.

For the seventh year, Macy’s has designated the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization in support of pregnancy and baby health, as its national in-store and online beneficiary of Shop For A Cause. Customers will be invited to give $5 to the March of Dimes at their local Macy’s Store or online at macys.com and receive a savings pass valid for 20 to25 percent off select regular-priced and sale items all weekend long. Exclusions apply and offer differs online, visit macys.com/ SFAC for details. Customers who give $5 in-store may also enter for a chance to win a $500 Macy’s gift card, and customers can visit participating stores for details and the official rules, according to the release.

As part of Macy’s support for the March of Dimes mission to give every baby the healthiest start in life, Macy’s is inviting shoppers to write a letter of hope and support to a family of a baby in a hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at macys.com/SFAC. Shoppers can also write a letter by visiting select Macy’s stores from Aug. 10 through Aug. 13. Following the Shop for A Cause campaign, Macy’s and the March of Dimes will deliver these messages to families in communities nationwide.

“Macy’s has supported the work of national and local charities through our Shop For A Cause program for more than a decade,” said Lauren Anania, Macy’s director of cause marketing, in the release. “Together with our associates and customers, we are deeply proud to again raise much-needed funds for the March of Dimes in support of families across the country, while offering shoppers four days to enjoy great savings.”

Macy’s has also partnered with the March of Dimes to produce a short film titled, “First Hug,” which shares the morning routine of a mother whose baby is in the NICU, reminding viewers that not all first hugs are the same. With 380,000 babies born prematurely in the United States each year, this video illustrates just one aspect of what those families experience. The video will premiere online at macys.com/ SFAC, where customers can also pen their letter to families.

“Macy’s associates and customers are going the extra mile to show their compassion for families with babies born too sick or too soon by writing letters to encourage and inspire, and sharing our ‘First Hug’ short film to raise awareness of the March of Dimes mission,” says Jennifer Abell, senior development manager for the March of Dimes, in the release. “For the past 20 years, Macy’s associates and customers have raised $25 million to support March of Dimes research and programs that help give every baby the chance to survive and thrive.”

Last year’s Shop For A Cause shopping event raised more than $74,000 to help the March of Dimes give more babies in the community a fighting chance for a healthy start in life. Programs for moms and babies in the area that have benefited from those funds over the last year include Centering Pregnancy Programs, Stork’s Nest, Neonatal Intensive Care Family Support, and Smoking Cessation Programs, according to the release.

For more information about Macy’s Shop For A Cause or to view “First Hug,” go to macys.com/SFAC.