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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --ÌýKmart, the top corporate fundraiser for the March of Dimes, has teamed with celebrity fitness icon, mom and Kmart ambassador Jillian Michaels to kick-off its 2015 fundraising campaign. The funds raised by Kmart will help support teams of scientists who are working to discover the causes of premature birth and develop innovative treatments at five March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers.Ìý

"As a mom, I'm proud to team with Kmart in support of March of Dimes because their work has made such incredible strides in its mission for healthy babies," said Jillian Michaels, celebrity fitness icon and Kmart ambassador. "I know firsthand the transformative impact people can achieve when they dedicate themselves toward a goal – and that's what giving to March of Dimes is all about. Together with Kmart, I'm excited to drive more awareness to this great cause and help more babies get a healthy start in life."

This year marks Kmart's 32^nd consecutive year supporting March of Dimes and 23^rd as national sponsor of the annualÌýMarch for Babies^® walks, which will take place this spring in 700 communities across the country. In addition to speaking out in support of the campaign, Jillian Michaels plans to join Team Kmart at the Los Angeles walk. Michaels, whose Impact by Jillian Michaels performance activewear line is carried exclusively at Kmart, designed a custom t-shirt for members of local March of Dimes chapters to wear at walks in other major cities. Kmart will give away a limited number of these exclusive t-shirts to fans who follow the brand on Twitter .

Kmart members and customers can support the fundraising campaign now through June 20 by:

• Contributing in-store at any Kmart and online via a link atÌý, with 100 percent of funds raised benefitting the March of Dimes.
• Purchasing Kmart's , available in-store or online for $5, with $1 from each sale being donated to the March of Dimes. (March 15– June 20, minimum donation of $30,000)

As a special thank you to members, Kmart is rewarding members who give back – any member donating in-store will receive a coupon for five percent back in points on their next qualifying in-store or online merchandise purchase.*

"Kmart members and associates know someone or have experienced firsthand the impact of March of Dimes' work to save babies' lives, and we are proud to be its No. 1 one fundraiser," said Alasdair James, president and chief member officer, Kmart. "Generations of babies and their families have benefitted from this relationship and we're deeply proud of the progress that has resulted from this commitment."

Kmart has raised more than $125 million over more than three decades to help advance the critical work being done by March of Dimes on behalf of newborns. These efforts have helped reduce the U.S. preterm birth rate in each of the last seven years, saving an estimated $12 billion in health care costs. Donations have helped moms and babies by:

• Providing the best information on healthy pregnancy and delivery
• Advocating for better healthcare coverage for the most vulnerable
• Fighting for better newborn screening standards in every state
• Helping moms to overcome substance abuse with community outreach programs
• Increasing access to prenatal care with mobile clinics and transportation to doctors
• Educating generations of parents on the value of vaccination

"Kmart's unwavering commitment to the health of mothers and babies has had a profound effect," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "Their support has led to 231,000 fewer babies being born preterm, led to new treatments, and enabled millions of women to receive much-needed prenatal care. Kmart's support benefits families and communities all across the country."

For more information or to donate, visit .

About KmartÌý
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:ÌýSHLD), 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 throughÌý. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith,ÌýJoe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company's website atÌýÌý| Sears Holdings Corporation website atÌýÌý| Facebook:Ìý.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, and top partners Famous Footwear, Macy's, Cigna, United Airlines and Mission Pharmacal. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites and . To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit .

*Through June 20, 2015. Points expire 90 days after receipt. MaximumÌý$20Ìýin points (20,000 points) per transaction, subject to full Shop Your Way program terms. See coupon for full details.

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SOURCE Kmart