Wal-Mart Raises $15 Million for Children’s Miracle Network
A recent six-week fundraising campaign between Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and the Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit that raises funds for 170 U.S. children’s hospitals, has raised $15 million.
During the course of the campaign, which ran from May through June 14, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members made donations to their local Children's Miracle Network hospital at the register. Additional in-store fundraisers were held to augment fundraising efforts. For the first time, a “virtual balloon” enabled shoppers to make a $1, $2, $5 donation, or a donation in an open amount, at checkout. The change from paper balloons to the virtual balloon model is in keeping with the mega-retailer’s core value of sustainability, noted Wal-Mart Foundation president Margaret McKenna.
“By partnering with Children’s Miracle Network, Walmart and Sam’s Club are infusing millions of dollars annually into the nation’s premier children’s hospitals,” said Scott Burt, president and CEO of Salt Lake City-based Children’s Miracle Network. “These resources give families the chance to live better by funding the research, equipment and care critical to the treatment of every injury and pediatric illness imaginable.”
“Our annual fundraising campaign allows for customers to donate directly to their local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, providing much-needed funding to sick and injured children,” added McKenna.
The foundation also committed additional funds to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in recognition of fundraising efforts. Based on the biggest percentage increase in dollars raised over various stages of the campaign, the awards will go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Ga.; Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas; CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Texas; and Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The retailer’s support for Children’s Miracle Network began in 1987. Since then, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised over $460 million for the organization’s hospitals.
During the course of the campaign, which ran from May through June 14, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members made donations to their local Children's Miracle Network hospital at the register. Additional in-store fundraisers were held to augment fundraising efforts. For the first time, a “virtual balloon” enabled shoppers to make a $1, $2, $5 donation, or a donation in an open amount, at checkout. The change from paper balloons to the virtual balloon model is in keeping with the mega-retailer’s core value of sustainability, noted Wal-Mart Foundation president Margaret McKenna.
“By partnering with Children’s Miracle Network, Walmart and Sam’s Club are infusing millions of dollars annually into the nation’s premier children’s hospitals,” said Scott Burt, president and CEO of Salt Lake City-based Children’s Miracle Network. “These resources give families the chance to live better by funding the research, equipment and care critical to the treatment of every injury and pediatric illness imaginable.”
“Our annual fundraising campaign allows for customers to donate directly to their local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, providing much-needed funding to sick and injured children,” added McKenna.
The foundation also committed additional funds to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in recognition of fundraising efforts. Based on the biggest percentage increase in dollars raised over various stages of the campaign, the awards will go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Ga.; Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas; CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Texas; and Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The retailer’s support for Children’s Miracle Network began in 1987. Since then, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised over $460 million for the organization’s hospitals.