March of Dimes Ambassador Family

Hey, Sherry!

Either contact your local chapter or let me know where you are located at and we will have the chapter get in touch with you!

Thanks for being willing to give back!

Hugs!
Michele

Dear Michele,

Can you please fill me in on what your and your daughter's duties were as Natl Ambassador? Also, how much travel was involved? Did she miss a lot of school? Please email me directly at rnd528@aol.com.
Thanks!!!
Debbie, mom to Sienna Emily, 26 weeker now 8 and local Ambassador in South Florida

Debbie,

I just sent you an e-mail! Look forward to hearing from you!

Hugs to you and Sienna!
Michele

Hi Michele. I'm Cathy and mom to 30 weeker Shannon who is now 7 and in the 2nd grade. Our familiy is extremely involved with special needs children ( I am an educational advocate), and we would love to hear more about the ambassador program. Can you send me some info?
My e-mail is codminguez@yumaregional.org

Thank you.

Michele,

We would be interested in being a ambassador family. Where do I get the information? Kathryn

Let me know where you are at so we can get you in touch with your local chapter!

Hugs!
Michele

I live in Apalachin Ny. We are about an hour from Syracuse, and just about 10 minutes from Binghamton (all in NY) Thanks Kathryn

Kathryn,

Someone should be in touch with you in the next couple of weeks! If you haven't heard from anyone in 2 weeks, let me know!!

Hugs!
Michele

Michele,

I have not heard anything yet. I am anxious to start doing what ever I can. I wish I could make it to NYC, I would love to meet you all. Kathryn

Hi Kathryn,

I contacted your local office. You should definitely hear back within a day or two.

best,

- James SooHoo
March of Dimes National Office

Actually, thinking about it...I guess I should post more information. We have ambassadors involved at a variety of levels. Some families may prefer a range of activity that is close to home, such as speaking at WalkAmerica kick-offs, etc. Obviously the broadest range of activities is taken on by our National Ambassador Family each year (Michele's family held this role in 2004). There are, however, many levels in between including Division and Chapter Ambassadors. For someone who wants to be involved, there is probably an opportunity that will make a good fit. Hope this helps!

- James

Our family has been asked to be the Ambassador Family for Stephenson County, IL. I'm worried about the time committement, and how much I can actually do......any suggestions?

Hi Michelle. I was just curious if you could give me more information on how to become an Ambassador Family. My daughters, Kelly & Regan, were born on Oct. 14, 2004, 8 weeks early. They weighed 2 lbs. 4 oz and 3 lbs. 8 oz. We walked as a family team last year and raised almost $2000. I would love to get involved in another way. Thanks in advance for your guidance or suggestions.
-Tara

I've been asked to answer these questions as Michele is unavailable for the time being (keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers).

Jalen's Mom: First of all Congratulations on being asked. It's a huge honor and a huge responsibility, however... a majority of chapters are very family friendly and understand our individual needs. To answer your question:

I'm worried about the time committment, and how much I can actually do......any suggestions? The time committment depends on the events, I would actually recommend asking for an agenda ahead of time. For us, we had a radio interview, several Walk Committee meetings, a Leadership Dinner where we shared our story and of course the Walk Kick off and Walk itself.

I would also find out if you would be the sole ambassador for the walk, or if another family team would also be doing this.

I hope this is helpful, if you have any more questions please feel free to email me!

Tara -- My best advice would be to contact your local chapter, and if you need help doing this email me or you could go to the Marchofdimes.com and type in your area code (in the top right hand corner) to find your local chapter. Start there. Being an ambassador family is a huge honor and there is nothing better than using your child's story to help other children and families.

Congratulations on the birth of your babies and I am very excited to hear more about them as they grow!

Again, if you have any more questions please feel free to email me.

Amy

Best of Luck!!!

Amy

I too am interested in being an ambassador family. Our family has experienced the ups and downs of premature birth--- twice.
The first time we experienced the NICU was with 29 week premature twin boys...and the second time was with a 34 week premature little girl. As a result of the March of Dimes and the staff at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Maryland, our three children are happy, healthy and thriving... we would love to give back and walk with Walk America every year in Rockville.. please let me know what we have to do for our local chapter.
Thanks in advance!

I would contact the local office, to do that you can go to marchofdimes.com and in the upper right hand corner click type in your zip code.

This should get you where you want to be in finding the office. If you still have problems, let us know and we can look further for you.

Once you've contacted them, share your story and tell them you are interested in the Ambassador Family program!

Thanks so much for posting and being interested in making a difference in the lives of so many people! That in itself, aside from the extraordinary births of your three babies, is amazing!

Bless you!

Amy

I don't know exactly what all is involved in being an Ambassador family, BUT I know I want to help save other peoples babies and get the word out there.

My husband and I wold love to be an Ambassador family in honor of the memory of our daughter, Naomi Joy Rice.

What do I do next?

~Sheila Rice
srice@olivet.edu

First thing I would do is contact your local office for the March of Dimes and let them know you are interested in the ambassadorship. Second, you can be an ambassador family without even having the "name" just by sharing your story and the March of Dimes Mission. It's easy... and I believe that is what a "Mission Family" does. If you don't mind sharing your story over and over again in front of lots of people, than the ambassador program is for you, it's a great way to get the word out there and get your voice heard!

Good luck with this and if you have any problems with your local chapter, let us know!!!

<We have an in>

Does Kankakee use the Rockford Chapter, Naomi's Mommy? Or which chapter is your local division?

Here is the contact info for all Illinois' chapters:

Illinois Division Chapters of MOD

I've been to Kankakee a few times myself, and Rkfd is my former stomping grounds!

We are a 2006 Ambassador Family from Iowa. 119 days in the NICU after delivering triplets at 25 and 26 weeks, we brought one baby home. Our other two sons died within the first two weeks. Our son is now 3 and quite an amazing miracle, but medical or religious standards. We help out in our region with TV commercials, radio spots and newspaper stories. We speak at events and will be leading our local WalkAmerica group in May. I find it very rewarding and also informative for many people who had no idea what preemies can go through or how early they can arrive.

I would like to know how to apply for the National Ambassador Family, any information you have would be helpful. I know our son is a little young so we might have to wait a few years.

Shonda

Hi Shonda,

I talked with Suzanne (in your chapter) about you yesterday. The chapter needs to submit you and I believe they plan to. That said, we both think you would be a great choice....but probably in a couple of years. Your son is a little too young. National Ambassador children need to be able to get up on stage before huge crowds and thank everyone for coming, etc.

If you want to talk about it further, feel free to email me.

- James

Hey, Shonda!

Let me first say, THANK YOU for being willing to share your story with us, the media and all of Iowa. It is very rewarding and you are giving people a lot of useful information that will change the way they look at prematurity forever. It is stories like yours that educate...and then, quite naturally, the money will follow!

James did answer very appropriately...the chapter will submit your name and then all applications will be reviewed by the National office. This happens one time a year. You are wise to wait until your son is a little older. It would be pretty difficult to do the amount of traveling necessary with a little one. I spent many an hour entertaining Amanda in airports and airplanes, she was 5 at the time. Also, as National Ambassador you will make memories that will last a lifetime. Amanda doesn't remember a lot of what we did, maybe we will have to do it again! HAHA!

In the mean time, while waiting for your little one to grow...keep doing what you have been doing. Learn as much as you can about MOD, as much as you can about the mission. When the time is right your chapter will submit your information and who knows what your future will hold!!

Thanks again, Shonda for all you do!
Hugs!
Michele