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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kmart has launched its 30^th annual fundraising campaign to benefit the . Kmart, the number one corporate supporter of the March of Dimes Foundation, with nearly $8 million raised in 2012, attributes its success to its associates, SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members, and customers. Donors can contribute in-store at any Kmart and online via a link at . Members are also encouraged to follow the new SHOP YOUR WAY March of Dimes page at .

This year marks a pair of noteworthy philanthropic milestones as Kmart celebrates 30 years of giving the same year that March of Dimes observes its 75^th anniversary as one of the nation's most effectual nonprofit healthcare organizations.

"For three decades Kmart has been committed to March for Babies and improving children's health and wellness," said Ron Boire, executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart Formats. "Year-after-year, our associates, SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members, and customers embrace the driving principle on which the March of Dimes was founded - many people giving a little can make a huge impact."

Since 1983, Kmart has raised more than $106 million dollars for the March of Dimes – one of the most significant fundraising achievements by a company for a singular cause. In fact, during the time it took to raise $106 million dollars, more than 100 million babies were born in the United States.

Donations are being accepted now through June 22, 2013, with 100 percent of funds raised benefitting the March of Dimes. Over 30 years, these funds have helped March of Dimes:

• Provide the best information on healthy pregnancy and delivery
• Advocate for better healthcare coverage for the most vulnerable
• Fight for better newborn screening standards in every state
• Help moms to overcome substance abuse with community outreach programs
• Increase access to prenatal care with mobile clinics and transportation to doctors
• Educate generations of parents on the value of vaccination

"Without the support of a partner such as Kmart we would be unable to continue our mission of providing top care and research for moms and babies," says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "We look forward to continuing this momentous relationship."

Kmart also marks its 21^st year as a national sponsor for the annual March for Babies^® walks, which will take place this spring in more than 750 communities across the country. This year, March of Dimes anticipates that 7 million people will participate in the walks to raise money and awareness to give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. Since 1970, the March for Babies has raised more than $2 billion to benefit all babies.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit health organization that champions the needs of moms and in local communities and across the nation. They funded the research that led to the prevention of polio and they've defended the health of babies ever since. From promoting folic acid to fighting for lifesaving newborn screening, March of Dimes continues to do all it can to make sure every baby is born healthy.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of SHOP YOUR WAY, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through . Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Sofia by Sofia Vergara, Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company's website at  | Sears Holdings Corporation website at | Facebook: .

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on and follow us on .

SOURCE Kmart