In the United States, Walmart operates more than 4,000 retail locations consisting of Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Sam’s Clubs and Neighborhood Markets. The company employs 1.8 million people, and more than 150 million customers visit a Walmart store each week. But in addition to being the world’s largest retailer, Walmart has another important distinction: Walmart is the United States’ largest corporate donor of cash, contributing over $275 million last year to charitable causes (which equals almost $32,000 an hour or over $8 a second).
Walmart’s drive to give back to the communities they serve began with the company’s founder, Sam Walton. He believed strongly that good business and good citizenship go hand in hand. In 1987, ‘Mr. Sam’ was approached by Children’s Miracle Network to become a corporate sponsor and fundraiser. He immediately committed his company and its resources to raising money for children’s hospitals with the promise that “the associates will amaze you.” And indeed they have!
The first Walmart fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network in 1988 resulted in an impressive $300,000 for children’s hospitals. Each year thereafter has resulted in significant increases. How do they do it? By selling Miracle Balloons, volunteering at hospitals, hosting golf tournaments and engaging in other fundraising activities for their nearby Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Their passion pays off: In 2008 alone, Walmart and its associates raised a record-breaking $33.5 million for the 170 participating hospitals. If you ask Walmart leadership how they accomplish such a great task, they modestly reply, “It’s one associate, raising $1 for one child at a time.”
Dr. Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation, says that Walmart’s support of Children’s Miracle Network is a natural extension of their concern for kids. “By supporting children,” says Dr. McKenna, “we are making an investment in our communities and our future.” The cumulative effect of their support is astounding: since 1987, Walmart has raised more than $460 million for the hospitals of Children’s Miracle Network! One hundred percent of these funds have been used for patient care, clinical research, medical equipment and other vital programs that directly impact children’s healthcare.
The future promises more milestone achievements in fundraising by the dedicated associates, customers and members of Walmart, Sam’s Clubs and Neighborhood Markets.