Sears Holdings and Brown shoe execs join board

The March of Dimes trustees elected Deidra Merriwether and Will Smith as the charitable group’s newest board members.

Merriwether serves as SVP and COO of Kmart and Sears format at Sears Holdings and Smith is SVP of marketing for Brown Shoe Company. Merriwether and Smith join a group of more than 30 trustees as the organization prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. March of Dimes trustees, who serve as volunteers, represent the public in governing the organization and advancing its mission. They serve five-year terms.

Kmart is the March of Dimes' longest-standing corporate supporter and has raised more than $106 million during the 29-year partnership. Famous Footwear has supported the March of Dimes since 1997 and collaborates with Dr. Scholl's as the "Official Shoe Sponsor" of March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraising event.

"Thanks to the continued support of Kmart and Famous Footwear associates and customers, we're able to improve the health of mothers and babies around the nation by offering educational programs to help women have healthy pregnancies and by supporting research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies' health," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "We're so pleased these industry leaders, who represent longstanding corporate partners, are willing to take on this new role and work with us to give more babies a healthy start in life."