A basic belief that every child deserves the chance to live better has resulted in nearly $4.5 million being raised for Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) since 1990. Nationally, the partnership between Walmart, Sam’s Club and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which began 30 years ago, has raised nearly $1 billion for children’s hospitals nationwide. Locally, 33 area Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution and Transportation centers support the effort.
 

“It’s important to us [to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals] because Children’s Hospitals support the most vulnerable of us, our children,” said Bob Davis, Regional General Manager, Walmart Region 27. “The work that is done at Children’s Hospital of Richmond and all of our partner hospitals is simply amazing!”

In recent years, national fundraising efforts have amounted to approximately $50 million annually, which is raised through a six-week cash register giving campaign each fall as well as bake sales, auctions and other local events. Over the years, donations from the Richmond area, which was the company’s highest fundraising region in 2016, have supported CHoR’s neonatal intensive care unit, Children’s Feeding Program, Transitional Care Unit, nephrology program and most recently, the Healthy Lifestyles Center, which this year, received a $1 million donation resulting from the last three year’s fundraising efforts.
 

“Our company’s tagline, ‘Saving people money so they can live better’ is not just about the low prices we offer our customers,” Bob said. “We take the ‘live better’ part seriously. Promoting healthy eating habits for our customers is a great way to do just that.”

Representatives from Walmart and Sam’s Club recently presented a $1 million donation to CHoR’s Healthy Lifestyles Center. The donation represented the company’s fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals from the last three years. Pictured l-r are Bob Davis, Regional General Manager for Walmart Region 27; Edmond Wickham III, MD, FAAP, Associate Professor, Director of Research, Healthy Lifestyles Center; Melanie Bean, PhD, LCP, Associate Professor, Director of Clinical and Behavioral Services, Healthy Lifestyles Center; Joel Hoover, Sam’s Club Manager; Nick Carver, Walmart Store Manager; Mary Brinkley, Walmart Store Manager; and Peter Johnson, Walmart Market Manager for Market 287.