State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) personnel once again participated in raising funds for March of Dimes, in conjunction with the Triangle area March for Babies campaign. For the second consecutive year, the SECU Triangle team collected over $50,000 for the cause through a variety of charitable efforts including food sales, cooking contests, sporting competitions and individual donations. Approximately 225 SECU walkers "laced up" for the 3-mile event held in Research Triangle Park. In addition to the Triangle walk, SECU branches throughout the State participate in other regional March for Babies events, raising several thousand additional dollars for March of Dimes.

George Wood of SECU’s Support Services group remarks, "Our entire department has embraced the March of Dimes cause and for the last several years has organized and sponsored a Wii Bowling Tournament to raise funds. While the tournament has been hugely successful and provided wonderful entertainment for all involved, our event is just one of the many fundraisers held by numerous SECU departments and branches. It’s inspiring to see so many Credit Union personnel supporting each project in an effort to make a positive difference for many North Carolina families."

North Carolina has one of the highest rates of preterm birth in the country, ranking 41st, and the North Carolina Chapter of March of Dimes continues to raise the bar in their efforts to find answers. Their education and advocacy efforts resulted in the State of North Carolina asking the organization to expand their folic acid campaign, resulting in a 40% reduction in neural tube defects.  Today, more than $4 million is invested throughout the State, funding community programs, advocacy, research and education. 

"Our success is a direct result of companies like SECU," said LaRonda S. Scott, Division Director of the Eastern Carolina Division of March of Dimes.  "The SECU March for Babies team is committed to giving every baby a healthy start.  They prove this year after year with outstanding efforts to meet and even exceed personal and company fundraising goals. SECU champions are enabling us to learn more about preeclampsia as a result of funding research at UNC Chapel Hill; funding Centering Pregnancy programs (group prenatal care) throughout the State that are proven to improve birth outcomes; providing uninsured, diabetic pregnant women with diabetes management education, medications and testing supplies; and more!  I can’t thank SECU enough for their support and being a part of the solution moms are looking for."