Walmart and Sam’s Club Commit $1.5 Million to Name Pediatric Lobby of New Hospital, Continue Support

Avid Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) supporters for more than two decades, Walmart and Sam’s Club have gone above and beyond to fundraise for UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, helping improve care for kids across the nation. Together, the 2010 Miracle Maker Award recipients recently committed to raising $1.5 million to name the future children’s hospital’s pediatric lobby, adding to the $3,066,792 they’ve already raised for our region’s sick and injured children.

The lobby, located on the first floor of the new building, will be a waiting and reception area with playful architectural features designed to help put children and their families at ease. The warm child, teen, and family-friendly place will include fun play pods and the opportunity for many interactive adventures.

“As proud CMNH sponsors, Walmart and Sam’s Club are honored to be able to name a space in the hospital where patients and visitors can feel comfortable knowing they have come to the right place and are in world-class hands,” said Tim Bernard, market manager for Walmart. “Many of our associates and customers have been impacted by the children’s hospital in some way and this is another great way for them to know they have our support.”

There are 14 local Walmart stores and two Sam’s Club stores across the Rochester region and, year after year, their creative fundraising efforts have either met or exceeded their $200,000 goal. Made into a friendly, but serious, competition between branches, the stores’ six-week fundraising period into May’s Miracle Month includes raffles, barbeques, walks, round ups, and CMNH balloon sales. Some Walmart managers have even had to kiss a pig if their store reached a particular goal, adding excitement to the last push of their campaign and demonstrating that they really will do anything for the children’s hospital.     

In addition to the special six-week fundraising period, Walmart and Sam’s Club have also sponsored the Golfing for Kids golf tournament that benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, for eight years. This year’s tournament was held on May 21 at Terry Hills Golf Club and raised $50,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital. Special thanks to major sponsors of the tournament: Pepsico, Rochester and Buffalo Coca Cola, North American Breweries, Bimbo Bakery, Byrne Dairy, Lake Beverage, Mondelez, Tracfone/Net 10, and Upstate Niagara.

“It’s amazing to see the continued enthusiasm and excitement the stores have for helping kids in our region,” said Betsy Findlay, director of advancement, special events and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Walmart and Sam’s Club are Golisano Children’s Hospital’s biggest fundraising groups and, for all they’ve done, we couldn’t be more grateful to have them be a part of the new children’s hospital in such a special way.”