Walmart and Sam's Club associates, customers and members recently wrapped up a seven-week campaign, raising $110,815 for Phoebe Putney Health System Pediatric Services. It was part of a national campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals which resulted in $37.5 million raised for member hospitals across America.

Donations poured in Aug. 29 to Oct. 16, as Walmart and Sam’s Club associates at 18 locations in Southwest Georgia held various in-store fundraising activities and asked customers and members at the register to help kids live better. From hot dog sales, crazy hat competitions, t-shirt sales, and carnivals- the stores got very creative to increase funds for the children in the community.

“It is such a joy to work with Walmart and Sam’s Club,” says Becca Miller, Phoebe Foundation’s Children’s Miracle Network Coordinator. “Not only do they raise money during this campaign, but they fundraise all year long for the children in our community. We are incredibly thankful for all the hard work, passion, and creativity that our Walmart and Sam’s Club employees put forth.”

A portion of the funds raised through the campaign will purchase a giraffe bed for the NICU at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. “These beds are a vital aspect of care delivery for our micro-premature infants because they can accommodate all of the equipment necessary to keep these patients alive,” explains Brittany Berry, NICU Nurse Manager at Phoebe. “Without these beds, we could not care for these infants like they so desperately need us to.”

Every penny raised locally to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals stays in Southwest Georgia to help medical professionals treat local children. Since 1997, Children’s Miracle Network supporters have raised more than $4.5 million to provide specialized equipment and programs to help babies and children treated at Phoebe. From life-saving equipment to help treat our most critically ill newborns to life-enhancing toys in the Pediatric Unit playroom, every child needing Phoebe’s care has benefited from funds raised through the Children’s Miracle Network.