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Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services Partners with MCGEO for ‘Labor of Love’ Initiative to Benefit March of Dimes

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 24, 2024

Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, in conjunction with County Executive Marc Elrich, are supporting the “Labor of Love” initiative benefiting March of Dimes. The campaign will take place throughout the month of November.

All ABS retail stores, including its new Oak Barrel & Vine stores, will be asking customers if they want to make donations to support March of Dimes and the Labor of Love initiative. Customers also will be asked if they want to round up their invoices to the nearest dollar.

abs laboroflove

ABS and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO have set a goal of raising $70,000 in the initiative, with monies raised to help March of Dimes improve maternal health, help babies be healthy and strong and protect the health of families through programs and advocacy.

The campaign is now in its third year. Customers of ABS stores contributed more than $53,000 in 2022 and more than $65,000 in 2023, for a two-year total of $118,000.

“For more than 80 years, the March of Dimes has been improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births and lowering infant mortality rates,” said County Executive Elrich. “I want to thank ABS and MCGEO for teaming up to support the March of Dimes through their ‘Labor of Love’ campaign. In addition to the health and safety benefits ABS provides Montgomery County through safe alcohol distribution, we are proud of the contributions of ABS employees through volunteering, fundraising and supporting nonprofit partners like the March of Dimes.”

The March of Dimes approach:

  • Fund and support innovative research to solve the biggest problems in maternal and infant health.
  • Advocate for prioritization our nation’s moms and babies and action to improve their health.
  • Educate and help every family have healthy pregnancies regardless of wealth, race, gender, or geography.

“Supporting March of Dimes is a great way for us all to give back to our local community,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “ABS has always been committed to public health and safety, and this campaign is a natural extension of that commitment. Together we can help ensure that every mom and every baby have the best possible start.”

The U.S. remains one of the most dangerous developed countries to give birth. Two women die from pregnancy related issues each day, two babies die every hour in the U.S. and one in 10 is born too soon. Learn more about March of Dimes at www.marchofdimes.org/.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. 

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Release ID: 24-482
Media Contact: Jocelyn Rawat 202-604-7289