"Help create real miracles"

Walmart Walk for Miracles Draws Local Celebs, Kids' Characters and Thousands of Walkers to Raise Funds for Canada's Children's Hospitals

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 10 /CNW/ - On Sunday, June 13, thousands of participants will take part in the 2010 Walmart Walk to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network in support of Canada's 14 children's hospitals. The seventh annual Walmart Walk for Miracles is being held consecutively in 12 cities from coast-to-coast, including: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's. The company hopes to raise millions of dollars to support the 2.6 million children who receive care each year at children's hospitals across the country. Funds raised will support care, treatment and medical research for Canadian kids. The walks will be bolstered by in-store sales of Children's Miracle Network balloons at all Walmart stores across Canada.

"For the past seven years, we have watched the Walk for Miracles grow from its humble roots into one of the largest charity walks of its kind in Canada," said Walmart Canada's President and CEO David Cheesewright. "Every year, millions of young Canadians are treated at our country's children's hospitals. Our children's hospitals depend on this funding and we encourage all Canadians to come out and join us and walk for children's hospitals and help create real miracles."

Walmart Canada is actively involved in environmental sustainability. For this year's walk, pledge forms were printed on FSC-approved, 100 per cent post-consumer waste paper and the number of forms printed was reduced by more than 40 per cent over the previous year. Leftover packaged food product will also be donated to local food banks. Each walk site will have a team of recycling volunteers whose main role is to assist with site maintenance, help educate participants on the various recycling receptacles and ensure that as much waste as possible is recycled.

Through events like this, Walmart Canada has become the number-one supporter of Children's Miracle Network raising funds and awareness through its annual miracle balloon campaign, in-store events, vendor promotions and the Walmart Walk for Miracles has become its signature philanthropic event. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $50 million to Children's Miracle Network.

To participate in the Walmart Walk for Miracles or to make a donation online, visit www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca

Walmart Canada operates a growing network of 317 outlets nationwide, serving more than one million Canadians daily. Walmart Canada has one of the of the largest and strongest community involvement programs in Canada. In 2009, the company raised and donated $25 million or $490,000 weekly, to support more than one thousand charities and organizations in need.

Each local walk will benefit the nearest children's hospital or hospital foundation.

VANCOUVER: Stanley Park - Second Beach; BC Children's Hospital

CALGARY: Pumphouse Park; Alberta Children's Hospital

EDMONTON: Gold Bar Park; Stollery Children's Hospital

SASKATOON: Friendship Park; Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan

WINNIPEG: St. Vital Park; Winnipeg Children's Hospital

LONDON: White Oaks Park; Children's Health Foundation London

HAMILTON: Confederation Park; McMaster Children's Hospital

TORONTO: Coronation Park; The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

OTTAWA: Confederation Park; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

MONTREAL: Angrignon Park; Opération Enfant Soleil

HALIFAX: Shubie Park; IWK Health Centre

ST JOHN'S: Quidi Vidi Lake; Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre

For further information: Felicia Fefer, Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada, 905-821-2111 x 4466