Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members in Hampton Roads put their money where the miracles are during the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising campaign.

Local stores raised $346,200 during this year’s campaign, reaching a milestone of $12 million in donations to CHKD during the past three decades. This effort is part of a national annual campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; $36.5 million was raised in 2018 in the U.S. and Canada, pushing the donation total since 1987 over the $1 billion mark.

Walmart and Sam’s Club associates held a variety of in-store fundraising activities from Aug. 27 to Oct. 7 and asked customers and members to donate at the register to help kids live better. “Our associates understand that they’re making a real impact and helping a lot of people they know who have needed CHKD,” said Ashley Rambo, store manager of Walmart’s Neighborhood Market on Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach. “The hospital has helped my own family so much, and it brings joy to my heart to help other kids in the community.”

Funds raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club stores throughout the country go to help the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in their area. The 170 hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network treat one in 10 children across North America. Hospitals use the funds based on what they need most — typically providing lifesaving equipment and research, supporting top therapy programs and providing charitable care.

All funds raised in Hampton Roads this year will go to support CHKD’s mental health initiative and radiology program. “We are so fortunate to have a world-class pediatric hospital taking such great care of our local kids,” says Chris Mehler, manager of Walmart’s Virginia market. “I can think of no better way to help the communities Walmart serves than to support CHKD.”