Walmart and Sam’s Club Associates Rally Behind Local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to Raise Nearly $37 Million
SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 5, 2016) — Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members recently wrapped up a seven-week campaign, collecting $36.9 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit raising funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across North America.
Donations poured in Aug. 29 to Oct. 16, as Walmart and Sam’s Club associates at 5,000 locations across the U.S. held various in-store fundraising activities and asked customers and members at the register to help kids live better. Even Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields, national goodwill ambassador for the charity, made an appearance at a Bentonville, Arkansas Walmart store to help encourage participation in the campaign.
“When I realized just how many sick kids are out there I knew I had to do something to help those babies,” said Michelle Simms, a passionate Walmart associate in Saginaw, Texas, whose store raised more than $22,000 this year. “I know I’m just one of many associates out there raising money for these kids, but I hope my efforts will play some part in helping the children.”
“Walmart and Sam’s Club associates are some of our most passionate and valuable fundraisers,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “When an associate realizes the opportunity he or she has to save kids’ lives by simply inviting people to give $1 or more at the register, an incredible thing happens. Members and customers respond. We’re extremely grateful to the millions who contributed to this year’s campaign to help kids live better.”
This year’s campaign is the most recent in annual fundraising by the retailers. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates have collected nearly $1 billion for sick and injured children since partnering with the charity in 1987. Walmart and Sam’s Club funds impact each of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which treat one in 10 children across North America. Hospitals utilize the funds based on what they need most — typically providing lifesaving equipment and research, supporting top therapy programs and providing charitable care.
For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, visit: www.CMNHospitals.org.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.