Local Walmart Associates, Customers and Community Members Raise $46,498 for MVHS
Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and community members of the Mohawk Valley put their money where the miracles are during the annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals fundraising campaign.
The Mohawk Valley raised $46,498 for Faxton St. Luke’s Hosptial (FSLH). The effort was part of a national campaign for CMN Hospitals which resulted in $36 million raised, putting the total raised in the U.S. and Canada over the $1 billion mark.
“Research done by Engage for Good shows that the cumulative $1 billion in cash raised for CMN Hospitals over the years by Walmart and Sam’s Club represents the largest amount ever raised for a nonprofit by one company in North America,” said David Hessekiel, president of Engage for Good, a trade group that tracks cross-sector efforts to generate positive social and business impacts.
Donations poured in from August 27, 2018 to October 7, 2018, as Walmart and Sam’s Club associates at four locations held various in-store fundraising activities and asked customers and members at the register to help kids live better.
Matt Giacona, assistant front end store manager from the North Utica Walmart location, really enjoys being able to rally his associates together for a good cause.
“I love to see the store team come together and work hard to make an impact on our local hospital, the associates are the ones that make it possible,” said Giacona.
The focus of this year’s campaign was to engage his associates and to make it fun and exciting. Giacona’s store exceeded their $10,000 goal this year and raised over $13,000 during the campaign.
“We are honored to partner with Walmart stores across the Mohawk Valley and help Maternal Child Services at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS),” said Andrea MacDiarmid, CMN coordinator at MVHS. “The stores are dedicated to raising money for our cause, one dollar at a time. CMN generated funds are used for equipment, education and services. All funds raised remain here in our community to help save and improve the lives of more than 19,000 local children.”
“The $1 billion raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club customers, members and associates has changed the world of children’s healthcare,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, CMN Hospitals. “Because of their generosity, tens of millions of kids across the U.S. and Canada are living better.”
Walmart and Sam’s Club funds impact each of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which treat one in 10 children across North America. Hospitals use the funds based on what they need most — typically providing lifesaving equipment and research, supporting top therapy programs and providing charitable care.
