For more information please contact Nicole Walters 616.247.6861.
Still want to help us? FUND THE MISSION
All March of Dimes Signature Chefs events will be held virtually this year. While we may not be together in person, we rely on your continued support to provide innovative programs and services for moms, moms-to-be and babies who may be at a greater risk of becoming sick and not receiving proper or equitable care.
The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.
We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!
We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
Join us for our annual gathering of West Michigan’s finest culinary talent in support of the March of Dimes. Held in the Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place, you will enjoy tasting the signature dishes of local chefs before taking your seats for the Live Auction and Fund the Mission. We encourage you to bid on one of our unique packages. Raise your paddle and give generously to save babies!
Thanks to the leadership of our volunteer committee, I am honored to present the 21st Annual Signature Chefs event. Everyone involved has helped us put together a wonderful array of auction packages for you to bid on, including great gifts, exotic getaways and, of course, fabulous dining experiences. The March of Dimes and the families we support are grateful for the generous team who has made this evening possible. Keep in mind, each time you bid, we come that much closer to making prematurity a thing of the past. Travis Henkaline Event Chairman Creative Director Fox 17
Together we can give them tomorrow Premature birth is the most serious infant health problem in the United States today. It is, in fact, the #1 killer of babies. It affects more than half a million babies nationwide each year, with over 15,000 in Michigan alone. The U.S. preterm birth rate is still too high at 9.6 percent—higher than that of most developed nations—while Michigan’s preterm birth rate is even higher at 9.9 percent. Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities, taking an extreme toll on families emotionally and financially. In 2016-2017, the March of Dimes granted $1.3 million for programs, research and services in Michigan. The funds provide prenatal education for doctors and nurses at community hospitals, as well as the award-winning March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. March of Dimes grantees in West Michigan are positively impacting birth outrcomes. Each partner is conducting a program that will increase preconception and prenatal health knolwedge, positively change behavior and/or increase positive birth outcomes. We are grateful to work with committed partners in an effort to give every family a chance at a happy, healthy start.
March of Dimes Michigan has heavily invested in group prenatal care with our partners across the state. This innovative approach to prenatal care has produced significant improvement in not only babies being born at term, but also Mom and baby thrive in bonding, increased breastfeeding, and healthy weight gain and brain development.
March of Dimes is strategically funding programs that promote health equity among different racial/ethnic groups. African American babies are two times more likely to be born premature more than their Caucasian counterparts. Michigan funds programs that address social determinates of health to increase the rate of African American babies born full term.
Leading preventable causes of premature birth in Michigan include: tobacco use during pregnancy, lack of health education, good health status prior to pregnancy and a lack of access to proven interventions for women with prior preterm birth such as progesterone (17P) shots.
Michigan Investment goals 1. Decrease Smoking during pregnancy 2. Increase the use of 17P in indicated pregancies through reducing barriers, cost and insurance limitations 3. Encourage, through education, Mom's to space births 18 months apart
Signature Chefs events feature local culinary talent who create a selection of fine cuisine for an exclusive audience. Our chefs are artists, innovators and philanthropists, and we look forward to sharing their talents at the event.
Delightful details coming soon
Join us for our annual gathering of the area’s finest culinary talent in support of the March of Dimes. Upon arrival, you will enjoy the chance to sample our chefs’ creations for a 90-minute tasting experience before taking your seat for the Live Auction and Fund the Mission. Enjoy dessert while you bid on our unique packages, raising your paddle and giving generously to help babies.
Our event features an exclusive selection of auction packages for your bidding pleasure. These packages provide you with a chance to purchase trips, dining experiences and once-in-a-lifetime moments to share with friends, family, clients and employees. As we secure packages for the event, we will give you a sneak preview of the packages here. Come back soon to check for updates.
Auction packages will include high tec, art, travel, food and experiences.
Premature birth is the most serious infant health problem in the United States today. It affects more than half a million babies nationwide each year, with over 15,000 in Michigan alone. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have lifelong disabilities. March of Dimes is committed to reversing this trend by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and providing comfort and information to families. With your March of Dimes Fund the Mission Gift at Signature Chefs, we can help to fund the research, education, and support needed to ensure more babies celebrate their first birthday. Read 2016 Follett Family story
Through partnerships with companies, organizations and individuals, the March of Dimes is able to create unique moments for your clients, vendors and leadership teams. They participate in an exclusive dining event while supporting a critical cause. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our Signature Chefs events, providing you with brand recognition, civic engagement and an exclusive client entertainment opportunity within the event. We look forward to working with you to discuss your partnership with the March of Dimes. Please contact Nicole Walters at [email protected] or 616-247-6861 for more information. Sponsor information
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
