MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Love’s Travel Stops store employees recently wrapped up a five-week campaign, raising $23,954 for WVU Medicine Children’s, the state’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
More than 390 stores in 40 states participated in the national campaign that raised a record $2.53 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). Since 1998, Love’s has raised more than $17.5 million for the nonprofit. The money raised at each Love’s location benefits sick and injured children in that community.
“We are so grateful to have the continued support of Love’s Travel Stops,” Cheryl Jones, R.N., director of WVU Medicine Children’s, said. “The funds raised by local Love’s employees and customers have a direct impact on children right here in Morgantown, as well as the kids and families who come to us from across the state and nation for care.”
From Aug. 26-Sept. 30, Love’s team members sold CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Balloons for donations and organized numerous events, such as fishing tournaments, bake sales, a Love’s Got Talent Show, and various cookouts and bake sales. Nationally, the stores surpassed their goal of $2.3 million. On a local level, Love’s increased their fundraising by 9 percent over last year’s campaign total.
“We’re so thankful for our employees who set the bar higher every year, and for our customers who repeatedly support us,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “Every year, our employees continue to outdo themselves, and our loyal customers show more goodwill to help children in their communities. The level of passion everyone demonstrates for this cause is inspiring.”
Pediatric medical care is the most expensive to provide, in part because of all the different sizes of equipment needed to treat kids ranging in size from a one-pound micro-preemie to a seven-foot high school football player. Children’s hospitals also open their doors to all kids, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. CMN Hospitals in the U.S. provide $3.4 billion in charity care annually.
About WVU Medicine Children’s
WVU Medicine Children’s – located on the sixth floor of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine’s flagship hospital – provides maternal, infant, and pediatric care for West Virginia and the surrounding region, giving care to high-risk mothers, premature infants, and children with life-threatening conditions through adolescence to adulthood. It is the state’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. For information on WVU Medicine Children’s, see wvumedicine.org/childrens.
About Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1964, Love’s has more than 390 locations in 40 states. Love’s provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, travel items, electronics, snacks, and more, as well as a selection of restaurant offerings. On-site Love’s Truck Tire Care centers offer roadside assistance, tire care, and light mechanical services for professional truck drivers. Showers, CAT scales, and other services for professional truck drivers are also available. Love’s, which remains family-owned and operated, employs more than 15,000 people. To learn more, visit www.loves.com.
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.