Local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores to raise money for Niswonger Children’s Hospital

Attention, Walmart shoppers: One of the country’s largest retailers is teaming up with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to support local children.

During the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign, which runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 30, local Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are joining forces to raise money for Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Money is raised primarily through a register campaign where customers and members contribute $1 or more when they check out. Associates also fundraise in other ways, including bake sales, in-store contests and events. Visit your local Walmart or Sam’s Club store to donate.

As the regional affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Niswonger Children’s Hospital is the recipient of all local fundraising, retail partnerships and sponsorship support, which enables the children’s hospital to enhance the care it provides to local babies, children, teens and their families.

“Walmart has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals nationally for more than 30 years, but this is the first year with Niswonger Children’s Hospital as the regional affiliate,” said Lisa Carter, chief executive officer of Niswonger Children’s Hospital and Ballad Health’s associate vice president of pediatric services. “When local shoppers give to this campaign, they’re supporting kids and families close to home by making it possible for us to fund needed services, projects and areas of care.

“Ballad Health is committed to creating a healthier region – starting with healthier babies and children – and money raised through the Walmart campaign and our relationship with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will help make our vision, plans and goals for the future a reality.”

Money raised at Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Walmart and Sam’s Club stores goes directly to benefit the sick and injured kids treated by Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Funds are used to pay for a variety of needs at the children’s hospital, including equipment, research, supplies and charitable care. Through the merger, Niswonger Children’s Hospital now reaches the emergency departments of all 21 Ballad Health hospitals and pediatric clinics throughout the region. The children’s hospital serves more than 200,000 children in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina.

Walmart and Sam’s Club joined the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising family in 1987, with Sam Walton himself being personally involved in the beginning of the relationship between the organizations. The fundraising campaign supports Walmart’s goal of giving back to local communities, and nationally, Walmart and Sam’s Club are closing in on the $1 billion fundraising mark for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

“Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in this region are passionate about supporting our communities, and we all want to do our part to help sick and injured children and their families,” said Emily Bowman, a Walmart store manager based in Johnson City. “We’re humbled and impressed by the generosity our shoppers show for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, as well as the dedication demonstrated by our store associates, who go above and beyond to make this campaign a success.”

Customers and members can also help spread the word about the campaign via social media using the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter.

Donations to Niswonger Children’s Hospital can also be made at any time by visiting www.balladhealth.org/foundation or calling 423-302-3131. More information about Niswonger Children’s Hospital can be found at www.balladhealth.org/children.