Local Walmart and Sam's Club Stores Raise More Than $400,000, $1 at a Time!

The hospital lobby was ablaze with excitement on Thursday, January 18th when officials from El Paso Children's Foundation and El Paso Children's Hospital came together to thank local Walmart and Sam's Club stores that make up ten (10) Walmart Neighborhood Markets, nine (9) Walmart Supercenters, and four (4) Sam's Clubs for the outstanding display of belief in helping sick and injured kids in a check presentation from the 2017 Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Miracle Balloon Campaigns totaling $432,049. 

"To me this speaks to not just the giving nature of this community, but the true spirit to help others that El Paso possesses," said Cindy Stout, CEO of El Paso Children's Hospital. "As the only dedicated not for profit children's hospital, it is with donations and champions like Walmart and Sam's that are allowing us to take our technology and care to the next level."

A typical Miracle Balloon campaign runs for 30 days with participating businesses and organizations. Each balloon sells for $1 at the checkout counter. 

"Cashiers are important for our fundraising efforts," said Dennece Knight, Executive Director of El Paso Children's Hospital Foundation. "Much of the equipment we purchase for El Paso Children's is thanks to campaigns such as Walmart balloon campaigns."

Ask the cashiers at Walmart why they actively participate in the balloon campaigns and they will tell you...it's for the kids! Here are the results:

Walmart Neighborhood Market, Top store at 3590 N. Zaragoza Road - $43, 604.

Walmart Supercenter at 7555 N. Mesa placed for the third year in a row as one of the top three locations in the nation and is included with the top 20 in the nation including the stores at 1850 N. Zaragoza; 12236 Montana, and 4530 Woodrow Bean - $362,691.25. 

Sam's Club, Top store at 9498 Gateway N. Blvd - $25,754.

"I challenge those that have a business to please reach out to our CMN Program Manager to see how you can start a CMN Balloon Campaign," said Stout.

For more information, contact Alexa Velazquez, CMN Program Manager, 915-521-7229, ext. 80526, avelazquez@elpasochildrens.org.