Final push: Walmart fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network

The annual “Spark Good. Change Kids’ Health.” fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network is running at all Hawai‘i Walmart and Sam’s Club locations through July 7. The campaign raises critical monetary donations for Hawai‘i’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. It’s Hawai‘i’s only full-service maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty hospital.

Kahului Walmart store manager Chris Pierce and the store associate team has set a fundraising goal is $60,000 this year. As of Saturday morning, they were at $57,485.33. The campaign ends today, Sunday, July 7. 

In 2023’s campaign, Hawai‘i’s Walmart stores, distribution center, and Sam’s Club locations raised over $500,000 for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. The funds supported a new retinal imaging system at Kapi‘olani that can help detect eye abnormalities in children, especially in premature babies who may face a higher risk of eye damage or blindness. The donations also supported cancer care at Kapi‘olani, where approximately 150 children are treated for cancer every year.

“Our Hawaiʻi associates are passionate about helping Kapi‘olani as some of them have personally been impacted and received care in our local hospital,” said Cole McConnell, Hawai‘i Market Manager for Walmart. “Some store teams really get into it with cashiers celebrating donations at the registers with cheers and cowbells, associates dressing up in inflatable costumes and singing and dancing. And the funds raised stay in Hawai‘i to support keiki at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.”

Also last year, for the second year in a row, Hilo Walmart’s customers and team of enthusiastic associates helped break the national Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) campaign fundraising record for a single Walmart store. In addition, it was the fourth year in a row that the Hilo Walmart was the top fundraising Walmart out of more than 4,600 Walmart stores in the US. Through the generosity of its customers and community, the store raised $131,194 for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

“We are truly grateful for Hawai‘i’s Walmart and Sam’s Club associates for supporting Kapi‘olani every year with such passion and energy,” said Gidget Ruscetta, chief operating officer of Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. “Their contributions are vital in helping us provide lifesaving care to children all across Hawai‘i and the Pacific region. We’re so fortunate to have dedicated partners who are committed to caring for our community.”

During the campaign, Walmart customers and Sam’s Club members can “Spark Good” for Hawai‘i’s keiki by: 

• Donating at the register: Simply say “yes” when the cashier asks if you’d like to donate to CMN Hospitals. 
• Donating online: Visit http://www.helpkidslivebetter.org/ to make a secure online donation. 
• Donating through the Walmart app: While shopping on Walmart.com or the Walmart app round up to CMN Hospitals during the campaign. Or select Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as your charity of choice. 

Every Dollar Supports the Local Community: Donations made through the “Spark Good. Change Kids’ Health.” campaign will directly benefit Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.   

These vital funds support:  

• Essential medical equipment: For diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
• Life-saving research: To advance treatments and cures for childhood diseases.  
• Family-centered care programs: To provide emotional and practical support for children and their families during their healthcare journey.     

Since 1987, Walmart and Sam’s Club have proudly partnered with CMN Hospitals, collectively raising over $1 billion to support children’s healthcare across North America. This year, they aim to build upon this legacy and make an even greater impact on the lives of children in need.