Walmart, Sam’s Club employees raise $5.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network
by September 22, 2017 10:05 am 411 views
Walmart and Sam’s Club employees in Arkansas, northern Louisiana, Oklahoma and eastern Texas raised $5.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network in 2016 and were named the top fundraising team for the organization in the United States. On Friday (Sept. 22), Arkansas Children’s announced the achievement.
The money was raised through annual in-store campaigns for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and remained in Arkansas to benefit children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and Arkansas Children’s Northwest, which is under construction along Interstate 49 in Springdale.
Walmart and Sam’s Club started their 30th annual fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network on Thursday (Sept. 21), and it will run through Oct. 29. The proceeds will go to Arkansas Children’s Northwest and Arkansas Children’s hospital.
“We are grateful to Walmart and Sam’s Club for their continued commitment to Arkansas Children’s,” said Fred Scarborough, chief development officer for Arkansas Children’s and president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation. Over the past 30 years, the Walmart and Sam’s Club fundraising campaigns have raised nearly $1 billion for pediatric healthcare. “We are thankful for Walmart and Sam’s Club for their ongoing support of making Arkansas a safer and healthier state for children.”
Walmart and Sam’s Club comprises of the largest national sponsor for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, according to Arkansas Children’s. They raise the money $1 at a time through community support. Annually, Arkansas Children’s hosts a Miracle Day celebrating Walmart and Sam’s Club employees in the region, and employees and teams receive awards for “their historic fundraising efforts.”
Ashlie Hilbun, vice president of philanthropy for Arkansas Children’s Foundation, explained that the fundraising efforts have saved and changed lives. “Our partnership will now help advance initiatives across the state as well as help fund Arkansas Children’s Northwest, opening in January 2018. At every turn, Walmart and Sam’s Club help us deliver on the promise of a healthier tomorrow, and we are endlessly grateful.”