Local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores to raise money for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s

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Local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores to raise money for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s

National campaign nearing $1 billion in fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Cleveland, OH – Local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are once again joining forces to raise money for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s during the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) campaign.

Walmart and Sam’s Club associates customers and members have raised over $3 million for UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s since 1993. On a national level, Walmart and Sam’s Club are closing in on the $1 billion fundraising mark for CMN Hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

“The donations we receive from Walmart and Sam’s Club are invaluable! They ensure patients receive the most cutting-edge treatment by top doctors in the nation in a comfortable setting close to home,” said Samantha Davison, Development Specialist.

Money is raised primarily through a register campaign where customers and members donate $1 or more when they checkout. Associates also fundraise in other ways including bake sales, in-store contests, and events.

The 2016 campaign raised $204,717 for life-saving programs and services at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s

Fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helps kids like Victor who was injured when a tree fell on him while he was cleaning up after Hurricane Matthew last year. Victor’s mother is a support and personnel manager at a Walmart Neighborhood Market and has been an active fundraiser for CMN Hospitals. Little did she know that her own son would need the services of her local CMN Hospital.

Thanks to his hospital, Victor is doing well and is back to setting records on his high school track team.

This year’s register campaign runs from September 21st to October 29th. Customers and members can conveniently donate $1 or more when they check out at any Northeastern Ohio Walmart or Sam’s Club store.
Money raised at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in the greater Cleveland area goes directly to benefit the sick and injured kids treated at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s. Funds are used to pay for equipment, research, supplies, charitable care and a variety of other needs the hospital has that are not covered by insurance.

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. The fundraising campaigns supports Walmart’s goal of giving back to local communities.

“This is one of the best things we do as a company, invest in the care of the kids in our local communities. Your local CMN Hospital takes care of every child, regardless of their ability to pay. But they can’t do it on their own. They need help from partners like us to pay for everything from medical equipment, to uncompensated medical costs, to life-saving research. The kids in our community are customers, kids that live next door to us, and sometimes our very own children, and they deserve the very best future that we can offer them,” said Dann Moore, Walmart Region 21, Regional General Manager.

Customers and members can help spread the word about the campaign via social media using the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter.

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About UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
Located on the campus of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is a 244-bed, full-service children’s hospital and academic medical center dedicated to the health care needs of children. A trusted leader in children’s health care for more than 125 years, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s consistently ranks among the top children’s hospital in the nation. As the region’s premier resource for pediatric referrals, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s dedicated team of more than 1,300 pediatric specialists use the most advanced treatments and latest innovations to deliver the complete range of pediatric specialty services for more than 700,000 patient encounters each year. Learn more at www.RainbowBabies.org.

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.