MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The associates, customers, and members of Walmart and Sam’s Club in West Virginia and the surrounding region have proven once again that a whole lot can be accomplished in just six short weeks. Specifically, with a little creativity and a lot of hard work, more than $650,000 can be raised for a great cause – Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals like WVU Children’s Hospital.
To raise funds, WVU Children’s Hospital partnered with 59 area Walmart and Sam’s Club stores and one Walmart Distribution Center to host a variety of fundraising activities, such as golf tournaments, car shows, cook-outs, and silent auctions, which propelled giving totals to exceed previous years. At WVU Children’s Hospital, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is named for Walmart and Sam’s Club.
“We have greatly benefitted from the generosity of Walmart and Sam’s Club for many years, and we are so appreciative of the lengths the employees, customers, and members go to each year to help support our mission,” Cheryl Jones, R.N., director of WVU Children’s Hospital, said. “With their help, we can continue to provide each child that comes through our doors with the highest quality care possible. And for that, we are very grateful.”
Nationally, through donations accepted at cash registers and in-store fundraising activities Walmart raised more than $40.2 million for the 170 hospitals that make up Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) and helps CMNH provide patient visits for more than 10 million kids each year.
This year’s campaign is the most recent in annual fundraising by the retailers, as Walmart and Sam’s Club have collected more than $740 million since partnering with the charity in 1987. Walmart and Sam’s Club funds impact each of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which treat one in 10 children across North America. Hospitals utilize the funds based on what they need the most — typically for purchasing lifesaving equipment, supporting top therapy programs, and providing charitable care.
The retailer’s six-week campaign ran May 1 to June 13. Walmart and Sam’s Club 2014 fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year at participating locations through various in- store activities.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity, and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.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.
About WVU Children’s Hospital
WVU Children’s Hospital – located on the sixth floor of Ruby Memorial, WVU Healthcare’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 Children’s Hospital, see www.wvukids.com.
