Top WalkAmerica Fundraiser Again Taps Wall Street's Generosity

March of Dimes
Monday, 24 March 2003

Renee Mitchell Raised More than $120,000 in 2002 on the Floor of the NYSE

Armed with a flier and a lot of enthusiasm, Renee Mitchell is again asking her colleagues on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to raise funds for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, the most popular Walk in the country.

"I began doing this in 2000 because I thought it was a good cause," said Mitchell, vice president, Equities, Credit Suisse First Boston. "Then I started to learn more about the March of Dimes and the important work that they do. Now, I am on the floor of the Exchange with a flier and a copy of the non-profit's financial statement to show just how much money goes to saving babies."

"I am very lucky that the people on the floor are very, very generous. They open their hearts and write a check. One man gave me $6,000," she said. The great majority of the donations, Mitchell points out, are from people giving between $20 and $200.

Mitchell, 40, raised $10,825 in 2000 and $67,367 in 2001. After being notified by March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse that she was the third highest fund-raiser in the country, Mitchell said she "wanted to be number one." Last year, Mitchell reached her goal and raised an astounding $121,945.

Mitchell, who began asking her colleagues at the NYSE earlier this month for donations, will continue up to the date of WalkAmerica (April 27 in New York City). She said she is aware that the war with Iraq and the economy might make it difficult to top her impressive 2002 total. But, she said, the March of Dimes message is an important one and she will continue to raise money.

The flier Mitchell gives to the traders on the floor of the exchange is also a thank you for their support. It states, in part, "Thanks to your unfailing support and extraordinary generosity, I was the #1 Adult Walker in the country for the 2002 March of Dimes WalkAmerica! Every one of you should be proud of all the money we raised to save babies. Each year more than 460,000 babies are born too soon and too small, but together we can make a difference!"

Now in its 33rd year, WalkAmerica is expected to draw more than half a million walkers. The nation's first and best-loved walking event takes place in more than 1,100 walk sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In most communities, WalkAmerica is held at the end of April.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish web site at www.nacersano.org or call 1-888-MODIMES. For more information on the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica, visit the Web site at www.walkamerica.org.

For more information, or to contact March of Dimes, see their website at: www.marchofdimes.com