Staff and customers at the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) stores raised almost $100,000 for the March of Dimes during a five-week Labor of Love fundraising campaign.
To be exact, $95,224.83 were raised, plus another $10,000 in pledges by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and $5,000 from William Grant & Sons, bringing the total to more than $110,000.
The presentation took place Wednesday at the Olney Oak, Barrel and Vine store on Georgia Avenue, which raised the most money of the county’s 27 stores.
“Every time one of you asks for a contribution or talks about our organization, you are saving lives,” said Kate Leib, senior executive director of the March of Dimes DMV Market. “The sad fact is we are in a maternal healthcare crisis in this country. Women do not have access to care. They do not have resources to get what they need for their families, and they have to make heartbreaking decisions.”
Two women die each day in the United States from pregnancy-related causes, two infants die every hour and one in 10 babies are born prematurely, according to March of Dimes. This happens “in the richest country in this world,” Leib stressed.
“When you ask for that donation, when you have that wonderful conversation that you have at the register, it truly helps save lives,” Leib said.
The fundraising campaign began Nov. 23, 2025 and ended Dec. 31, 2025.
For the third year in a row, the Olney store raised the most money. It was followed by the stores in Montrose, Cabin John, Leisure World and Potomac. ABS and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, the county’s employee labor union, organized the campaign.
Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, who chairs the council’s Health and Human Services Committee, praised everyone involved. “It’s going to go a long way,” she said of the money raised.
The money will be used by the March of Dimes to fund and support research on maternal and infant health challenges, advocate for policies that prioritize the health of mothers and babies and provide education and resources to help families have healthy pregnancies regardless of wealth, race, gender or geography.
“Together, we are strengthening maternal and infant health across our region and ensuring that families have the support they need—today and for generations to come,” Leib said.
“Supporting March of Dimes aligns with our department’s longstanding commitment to health and safety,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “This campaign extends that commitment by helping ensure every mother and baby has the best possible start.”
Outside the Olney store, the March of Dimes Mobile Health Bus was open for tours. The bus delivers maternal health services and education to mothers and expectant mothers throughout Maryland.
ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for the county and manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. It generates tens of millions in net income annually. That money is used to pay down the county’s debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services.
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