Major Online Fundraising Initiative to Benefit the March of Dimes of Long Island

CONTEST TO LAUNCH WEEK OF SEptember 29th
 
(Long Island, N.Y.) TheCuteKid.com (http://www.thecutekid.com), the world’s largest online baby and kid photo contest and The March of Dimes of Long Island announce “The March of Dimes Long Island CuteKid™ Contest”, a major online fundraising initiative to benefit March of Dimes Long Island. In support of this campaign, TheCuteKid™ is also partnering with local Long Island and national businesses, all of whom will help support and build awareness for the initiative. (http://www.thecutekid.com/marchofdimes.php)

With 500,000 babies born prematurely in the U.S. every year and 4,133 Long Island babies born prematurely in 2004, (nearly 12% of all births), TheCuteKid is committed to keeping the children from the Long Island community healthy and providing families with the resources to take care of premature babies.

The “March of Dimes Long Island CuteKid™” fundraising contest is open to families with children ages ten and under. By submitting a photo of one’s child along with a $25 donation, one can enter the contest and support The March of Dimes. A $50 donation also gets them into TheCuteKid™ of the Year Contest and a $100 donation has the addition of a canvas portrait. Entries will be accepted from September 29, 2008 through November 22nd, 2008.  After entering the contest, parents will be encouraged to get their friends and families to vote for their child. Every vote will cost one dollar and will also benefit the charity. One hundred percent of all net proceeds go straight to The March of Dimes.
 
Ten finalists will be determined by popular vote. From these top contenders, TheCuteKid’s panel of professional child talent judges will vote upon the winner of “The March of Dimes Long Island CuteKid™” contest. The pro talent judges will name a winner and a 1st and 2nd runner up, who will be given prizes, money, toys, gift certificates and additional exposure to professional talent agents in a safe environment.
 
Prizes include a $500 gift certificate to Visage Photography Studio, Gymboree memberships, Carter’s Footwear, toys, apparel and a grand prize of a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.

TheCuteKid™ and The March of Dimes want to remind everyone that EVERY vote counts in the fight to give every baby a healthy start! 

“The March of Dimes Long Island Division is excited to partner with The CuteKid on this endeavor.  Our contest will provide Long Islanders the chance to participate in a fun contest, win excellent prizes, and help us champion the needs of babies at the same time.”, Marissa Nihill, Assistant Community Director, March of Dimes.

“March of Dimes Long Island CuteKid™” contest is presented by TheCuteKid.com™ and made possible with the support of sponsors Visage Photography Studio, Gold Coast Bank, Gymboree Play & Music, Pleo, Kidsville, Carter’s Footwear, Best Buy, ParentSociety.com and Ruby Tuesday. (http://www.thecutekid.com/marchofdimes.php)

About the March of Dimes:
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health organization whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes carries out this mission through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.  For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com or www.nacersano.org.
 
About TheCuteKid.com™ (http://www.thecutekid.com): TheCuteKid.com™, a Parent Media Group, Inc. company, was founded in 2005. Offering hundreds in monthly prizes and its $25,000 college tuition fund grand prize, TheCuteKid™ has become the largest and most respected child photo contest online. Since its inception, TheCuteKid™ has become the go-to meeting place for parents interested in introducing their babies and children into the modeling and acting arena. In just over 3 years, TheCuteKid™ has grown to over 1.2 Million members worldwide and has received over 2 million photos of cute kids. Dozens of talent and modeling agencies utilize the site and CuteKids have landed roles in major campaigns including JCPenney, Oscar Mayer, Disney Family Fun, and Nickelodeon.
 
March of Dimes LI CuteKid™ Contest Prizes
 
1st Place “March of Dimes LI CuteKid”:
$1000 U.S. Savings Bond
$500 Gift Certificate to Visage Photography Studio
16×20 Framed Photo Canvas from TheCuteKid
Pleo Robot
Carter’s Gift Certificate
 
2nd Place: “1st Runner Up”: 
$500 U.S. Savings Bond
$500 Gift Certificate to Visage Photography Studio
Pleo Robot
BabySpot- AMEX Card
Carter’s Gift Certificate
 
3rd Place “2nd Runner Up”:
Classic Gymboree Play & Music Package
Gift Certificate to Best Buy
Pleo Robot
Carter’s Gift Certificate
Gift Certificate to Denny’s Children’s Wear