Walmart and Sam’s Club Raise More Than $379,000 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital

Walmart and Sam’s Club associates helped “put the money where the miracles are” with a combined fundraising effort raising $379,220 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville following the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign. The fundraising efforts were part of a broader national effort that raised more than $35 million in support of the 170 member hospitals across the country.

“It’s inspiring to see the passion our associates and customers have for helping children in need in our community and supporting UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital,” said Walmart Store Manager Dalila Garcia at store No. 1847 in Ocala. “We wouldn’t be as successful at raising funds year after year without the dedication of our associates who plan the various fundraising activities and our customers who continue to support this amazing cause.”

Because of support from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital can purchase life-saving equipment, provide programs and services with meaningful impact, and conduct transformative research. Funding from CMN Hospitals has also been vital to renovation efforts of pediatric areas such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the ER, making UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital a more comfortable, welcoming and warm healing environment for over 40,000 pediatric patients seen each year.

“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 Sam’s Club associates and customers,” said Scott Rivkees, M.D., a professor and chair of the University of Florida College of Medicine’s department of pediatrics.

Walmart and Sam’s Club have supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for 30 years. Funds raised impact each of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which treat 10 million kids annually across North America. Hospitals utilize the funds based on what they need most — including lifesaving equipment and research, top therapy programs, charitable care and more.

Fundraising efforts have evolved over the last 30 years. While donations at the registers drive most of the fundraising at stores and clubs during the campaign, associates also get creative by hosting fundraising events, such as children’s carnivals, craft sales and cookouts.

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