Montgomery County is making waves for the betterment of maternal and infant health with a significant donation to the March of Dimes, as a report from the Montgomery County government website announces a forthcoming $95,224.83 check presentation from Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) as part of their "Labor of Love" campaign. The event, slated for February 18 at ABS's top-performing Olney retail location on Georgia Ave, is not just a ceremonial gesture but marks a leap forward for community-supported maternal healthcare.
This year’s campaign, going beyond previous efforts, has a new twist with the March of Dimes Mobile Health Bus joining the scene, poised to deliver maternal health services and education across Maryland. The check presentation, slated to kick off at 9:30 a.m., invites not only officials from ABS, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, March of Dimes, and corporate partners such as Tito’s Handmade Vodka and William Grant & Sons, but also the public, whose participation is equally crucial to the success of this initiative. The “Labor of Love” campaign, enabled by the partnership between ABS and local labor union UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, encouraged customers to donate by rounding up their purchases, which accumulated to an impressive figure—one domino in the cascade of community support.
The campaign's span from November 23 to December 31, 2025, managed to collect more than $110,000 through donations at the checkout and pledges from corporate partners, illustrating a strong public and private commitment to March of Dimes’ mission to support healthy pregnancies and reduce health disparities with research, education, and advocacy. "Since 1938, March of Dimes has been dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies and reducing health disparities through research, education, and advocacy," Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said, emphasizing the importance of the collective grassroots efforts that unfold in the county’s retail stores, that show the power of individuals coming together for a shared cause, as noted by the Montgomery County government. The March of Dimes works tirelessly not only to fund research but advocate for fair health policies and educate families on maintaining healthy pregnancies, standing as a beacon of hope against stark statistics of maternal and infant mortality.
The commendable efforts of the Montgomery community are not lost, as ABS Director Kathie Durbin states, "Supporting March of Dimes aligns with our Department’s longstanding commitment to health and safety," recognizing the intrinsic connection her department holds with the overarching goal of a stronger community foundation for mothers and babies. "This campaign extends that commitment by helping ensure every mother and baby has the best possible start," Durbin told the county government's website. This altruistic stance shows how public service can go beyond routine work and truly make a difference. ABS, Montgomery County's alcohol wholesaler and retailer, does more than sell alcohol; its profits help pay county debts and fund services, showing how business activities can support the community.
