Twenty-seven local Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs are participating in the 2016 campaign to raise money for the area’s only children’s hospital, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.
Associates from Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina will ask customers during the six-week campaign to donate a $1 or more each time they check out at a register. Along with asking for register donations, some of the stores will also participate in a variety of fundraising activities such as bake sales, hot dog wagons, associate pot lucks, and sport tournaments.
“All the funds raised at our local stores will stay local to benefit the Children’s Hospital Believe Campaign to build a new hospital in Chattanooga.” said Rebecca Brinkley, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital's director for Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. “Walmart and Sam’s Club stores continue to be the largest CMN Hospitals fundraising partner in our area. Our local stores raised over $235,000 last year, and we look forward to working with them again during the next six weeks to raise even more money and awareness for the children in our area.”
Children’s Hospital is one of 170 CMN Hospitals that receives donations from many local businesses who are CMN Hospital partners. Nationally, through donations accepted at cash registers and in-store fundraising activities, Walmart and Sam’s Club raised more than $1 billion for CMN Hospitals since partnering with the charity in 1987. Last year alone, the stores raised more than $60 million in the United States and Canada. Hospitals utilize the funds based on what they need the most—typically for purchasing lifesaving equipment, supporting top therapy programs and providing charitable care.
The retailer’s six-week campaign runs through Oct. 9. However, Walmart and Sam's Club 2016 fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year at participating locations through various in-store activities. Children’s Hospital also encourages customers, members and associates to use the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter in social media posts and photos to promote the campaign to friends and family each time they donate.