Walmart and Sam’s Club kick off 5-week campaign to benefit UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital

Now through Oct. 29, local Walmart and Sam’s Club locations are inviting customers to “put your money where the miracles are” by donating to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Walmart and Sam’s Club locations participate annually in a campaign in which cashiers ask customers to donate at the register. The stores and clubs also participate in year-round fundraising leading up to their annual campaign. In 2016, 76 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations raised more than $630,000 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

“Each year, funds raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club help to further advancements in research, invest in lifesaving medical equipment and provide a wide range of services to those in need of specialized treatment while in our care at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. There’s no doubt that none of this would be possible without the generous support of Walmart and their customers,” said Scott Rivkees, M.D., a professor and chair of the UF College of Medicine’s department of pediatrics.

More than $930 million has been raised through the partnership between Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Walmart and Sam’s Club to help children’s hospitals around the nation. The funds raised in Gainesville stay local, ensuring that patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital have the opportunity to receive the care and treatment they need in a warm, nurturing environment.

Since 1985, associates have raised more than $10 million for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Money is raised primarily through a register campaign where customers and members contribute $1 or more when they check out. Associates also raise funds in other ways including bake sales, in-store contests and events.

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

About UF Health Shands Children’s HospitalUF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is the premier academic children’s hospital in north central Florida. As a recognized leader in pediatric medicine, the hospital serves as a destination for children from all over the United States and overseas who require specialized attention for complex medical problems. The dynamic UF faculty is devoted to the best in patient care, research and education. UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is a part of the Children’s Miracle Network’s alliance of premier hospitals for children.

About Walmart and Sam’s Club/CMN Partnership:

Walmart and Sam’s Club share a belief — that every child deserves the chance to live better. That’s why they have supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for 30 years, raising more than $930 million in the U.S. and Canada for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In 1987, the man known to the CMN Hospitals team as “Mr. Sam,” Sam Walton, committed his company and its resources to raising money for children’s hospitals with the promise that “the associates will amaze you.”

In the U.S., Walmart and Sam’s Club associates play a key role in supporting their local children’s hospitals. In addition to the countless hours volunteered for CMN Hospitals, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates across the U.S. raised more than $60 million in just six weeks during their 2016 fundraising campaign. During the five-week campaign, donations are taken at the register. In addition, associates engage in creative fundraising events including contests, auctions, potlucks and family events. They build strong relationships in their community and with their CMN Hospital.

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 health care 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. 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.