Donations fund life-saving equipment, research, charitable care and other pediatric patient needs

Walmart and Sam’s Club today announced fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including Children's National Health System will continue through Nov. 3.

Over the last 30 years, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have helped raise nearly $1 billion for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. Money is raised primarily through a register campaign where customers and members donate $1 or more when they checkout. Associates also fundraise in other creative ways including bake sales, contests and events.

“We love Walmart and Sam’s Club associates,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Their passion for their local CMN Hospital and asking customers and members to donate has made all the difference in our efforts to help kids live better.”

The nearly $1 billion raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club marks the biggest amount ever raised by a company for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The money raised at local stores is directed to a local CMN Hospital to help sick and injured kids get the care they need. Funds are used to pay for equipment, research, charitable care and a variety of other needs children’s hospitals have.

“We cannot thank the Walmart associates enough for their commitment to Children’s Miracle Network,” said Antoinette Essex, whose son was treated at Children’s National Health System. “The funds they raise help ensure that all children, including my son Chase, receive the best possible care, no matter their circumstances.”

Walmart and Sam’s Club joined the CMN Hospitals fundraising family in 1987 with Sam Walton himself being personally involved in the beginning of the relationship between the organizations.

A new addition to the 2017 campaign is the ability of customers and members to donate directly from the screens at self-checkout kiosks. Once they have completed scanning their items customers simply tap “Finish and Pay” and are then prompted on-screen with a donation request.

Customers and members are encouraged to spread the word about the campaign on social media using the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter. 

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 Philanthropy at Walmart

By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Our philanthropy helps people live better by supporting upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where Walmart operates and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit http://www.foundation.walmart.com.