The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, in partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club, officially kicked off its annual campaign to raise money for critical medical care for local children. This year marks 30 years in which Walmart and Sam's Club associates have been helping families in their communities live better by raising funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Now thru October 29th, customer donations will be accepted at the checkout registers at all Ohio Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. In addition, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates will be leading local fund-raising activities like contests, auctions, potluck and family events.
Walmart, the Walmart Foundation, and Walmart and Sam's Club associates, customers and members in the U.S. and Canada have contributed more than $930 million dollars since 1987. The year-round funds contributed in 2016 in the U.S. and Canada totaled more than $60 million.
“It’s no wonder Sam Walton once told our co-founders his people would amaze them,” said Cathy Steele, area director, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “The overwhelming support and passion Walmart and Sam’s Club have for our cause ensures that kids in our community get excellent care from recognized pediatric experts here locally.”
Funds from the annual campaign go to help treatment for children like Alyssa Smith, a 12-year old from Cincinnati who is this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Ohio Champion. Alyssa speaks openly and frequently about her struggles with mental illness and shares how she learned coping techniques through counseling at Cincinnati Children’s, a healthy diet and daily medication. “Everyone has issues,” she says. “At least I know what mine are.”
“Each year our associates look forward to getting involved in this campaign and will often challenge each other with the single goal to surpass the amount raised the year before,” said Jason Leisenring, Walmart Regional General Manager. “Each of our stores takes supporting the communities they serve very seriously. However, they all become very passionate when it comes to the CMN campaign and the opportunity to help sick and injured children and their families.”
Funds raised through Walmart and Sam's Club 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.
The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Ohio include: Dayton Children's; Nationwide Children's; Cincinnati Children's; Mercy Children's in Toledo; Rainbow Babies and Children's in Cleveland; Akron Children's and Akron Children's Mahoning Valley. For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, visit: www.CMNHospitals.org.
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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.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,593 stores under 63 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482.1 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.4 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.