Arnold Palmer Hospital Recognizes Walmart and Sam’s Club with Playroom Dedication, Announces Fundraising Results
On Thursday, April 19, Walmart presented Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with a check for more than $520,000. The funds were generated by more than 75 Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations in the Orlando area last year through customer and member donations as part of the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising campaign.
“We are so grateful to Walmart and Sam’s Club for their generosity over the last 30 years. With these funds, we’re able to provide better care for children both living in and visiting our community,” said John Bozard, president of the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. “It’s only fitting that we recognize this support by naming one of our playrooms in Walmart’s honor.”
The fundraising efforts are part of a broader national effort that raised more than $35 million in the 2017 campaign in support of the 170 member hospitals across the country. The check presentation was made during a playroom dedication ceremony held at Arnold Palmer Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
The funds from this year’s campaign will help support invaluable hospital programs and provide necessary medical equipment as well as other items that help normalize a hospital stay for children.
“One of the most important things that our journey taught us is that it takes a village to care for these children. It goes beyond just the doctors and nurses; it’s also the people in our community raising critical funds to help the hospital save and change lives,” said Heather Shields, mother to twins Carson and Kendall Shields, the 2018 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Local Walmart and Sam’s Club locations have raised more than $11.3 million over the 30-year partnership for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Central Florida with fundraising efforts supporting Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children since it became a CMN hospital in 1997. It was in honor of these efforts that Arnold Palmer Hospital today dedicated its Pediatric Special Care playroom to Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Walmart & Sam’s Club associates from the 77 Central Florida locations that support Arnold Palmer Hospital also donated toys, games, gift cards and other items from the hospital’s Wish List to help “stock the playroom” for the kids.
“Arnold Palmer Hospital has played a special role in so many children’s lives here in Orlando,” said Elise Vasquez-Warner, vice president and regional general manager for Walmart in Central Florida. “Our associates truly value their involvement in the great work accomplished at Arnold Palmer Hospital. It’s through their efforts and the generosity of our customers and members that together we’re all making a difference in the lives of so many families across the region.”