Walmart and Sam’s Club Locations Raise Vital Funds for Greater Orlando CMN Hospitals

ORLANDO, Fla. - May 5, 2015 - PRLog -- Beginning May 4 through June 14, Walmart customers and Sam’s Club members are asking customers to support kids in the Central Florida area by making a donation of $1 or more at the retailers’ 63 locations to raise funds for Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, benefitting UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and Arnold Palmer Medical Center.

Customers and members can add a “Miracle Balloon” donation during checkout this spring, with 100 percent of funds going directly to Greater Orlando CMN Hospitals, helping kids in their own communities. Funds collected – most $1 at a time – are necessary for hospitals to provide the best care for kids. In 2014, the six-week Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign raised more than $40 million, with additional activities throughout the year bringing the total to $53 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the United States.

“Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Flagler counties raised nearly $890,000 in 2014 and have their sights set even higher this campaign year,” said Dr. Scott Rivkees, Chairman of the Greater Orlando CMN Hospitals Board. “As non-profit children’s hospitals, we are committed to providing our pediatric patients the best medical care possible - the care they deserve. And it’s through community support like this that we are able to make that happen.”

“Walmart and Sam’s Club associates play a significant role in raising funds for our member hospitals,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “We are in awe of their commitment to helping Greater Orlando-area kids through their in-store fundraising campaigns. They clearly understand how every donation helps improve the lives of sick and injured kids in their communities. We are grateful.”

Throughout the campaign, television spots featuring Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals spokesperson Jennifer Lopez will air within stores and clubs. Lopez, a mother of young twins, is a longtime supporter of children’s hospitals. She shows her support by wearing the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Miracle Band and by asking customers to “Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are.” Supporters can get a Miracle Band at MyMiracleBand.org.

Since 1987, Walmart and Sam’s Club fundraising across North America has provided more than $750 million for pediatric care. Funds are used by the community hospital depending on the greatest need — helping to provide necessary charitable care, establish critical care wings, introduce therapy programs, and fund specialized, life-saving treatment and equipment.

To find your Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or for more information and to help kids in your community, visit www.CMNHospitals.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 (http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/) and facebook.com/CMNHospitals (https://www.facebook.com/cmnhospitals).

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.  helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 250 million customers and members visit our 11,462 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2015 sales of nearly $486 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.