Annual Walmart Walk for Miracles raises record $4.5 million

Thousands of walkers and Walmart shoppers in cities nationwide give to kids' hospitals MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 15 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada has reached arecord-setting fundraising total for the annual Walmart Walk for Miracles andrelated in-store campaign, raising money for Children's Miracle Network and 14kids' hospital foundation nationwide. The sixth annual Walmart Walk forMiracles, which took place Sunday, June 14, simultaneously in 12 Canadiancities, hosted an estimated combined total of 15,000 walkers. Together, thewalks and related in-store campaigns raised an estimated record $4.5 million. Counter to reports that charitable giving has dropped over the past year,this year's Walmart Walk for Miracles saw a nearly double-digit increase inboth participation and funds raised. "For the past many months, we've heard that the notorious charitablespirit of Canadians has been temporarily slowed by the economy," said AndrewPelletier, Walmart Canada's vice president of corporate affairs. "Our recordturn out of 15,000 walkers and their record fundraising of $4.5 million showsthat Canadians are as supportive and generous as ever before." Children's Miracle Network (CMN) raises funds and awareness for theworld-class care provided at 14 Canadian children's hospitals. Through apartnership with CMN, money raised through the Walmart Walk for Miracles andrelated in-store campaigns helps the 2.6 million kids who seek care at thesehospitals each year due to sickness or injury. Walmart Canada ensures thatmoney raised in communities nationwide is directed to the nearest children'shospital. As a symbol of that local commitment, each of the 12 local Walmartwalks was hosted by a local Champion Child who is or has been treated by thenearest kids' hospital. "Support for children is a universal value for our company, ourassociates and our customers," said Pelletier. "Seeing the living, breathingreason for our walk - Champion Children getting the care they need to surviveor thrive - is a tremendous motivator and reminder of why we have come outagain and again for the past six years." Walmart Canada operates a network of 312 stores serving more than onemillion people daily. With more than 80,000 associates, the company isCanada's third-largest employer. The company runs one of the largest corporatephilanthropy programs in Canada, raising and donating more than $20 millionannually, including more than $8 million to Children's Miracle Network.
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