Walmart Canada raises and donates $5.4 million for Canada's children's
hospitals

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 29 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada announced today that its recent Children's Miracle Network fundraising campaign raised a record $5.4 million to support Canadian children's healthcare. Children's Miracle Network supports 12 children's hospitals and foundations across Canada. Walmart would like to thank its customers, suppliers, and associates for their generous donations and support to such a worthy cause.

From May 13 to June 13, customers were invited to show their generosity at Walmart stores nationwide by purchasing a $1 Children's Miracle Network balloon icon to support the 2.6 million children who receive care at Canada's children's hospitals each year for afflictions such as cancer, heart disease, birth defects, cerebral palsy, AIDS and injuries that result from accidents. Money raised will help fund critical hospital equipment, ambulatory-care services, research, education programs, and specialty services at children's hospitals across Canada. To support the campaign, Walmart Canada also contributed corporate matching grants to all stores. The campaign concluded on June 13 with Walmart Canada's signature event, the Walmart Walk for Miracles.

"We are proud to partner with Children's Miracle Network to support some of the best children's hospitals in the world right here in Canada," said David Cheesewright, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "Despite tough economic times, Canadians still have deep pockets and a strong commitment to kid's health as evidenced by this year's record-breaking campaign."

Walmart Walk for Miracles

The seventh annual walkathon took place simultaneously in 12 cities across the country including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's drawing more than 15,000 participants from coast-to-coast. 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 was donated to local food banks and as much waste as possible was recycled. The Toronto Walk for Miracles was a water bottle-free event, diverting nearly 10,000 bottles from landfill. Walmart Canada covers all costs associated with hosting the Walmart Walk for Miracles in each market so 100 per cent of donations go to support local children's hospitals.

Ongoing fundraising

For every Walmart Canada Rewards MasterCard customer application submitted until July 15, one dollar will be donated to Children's Miracle Network.

Walmart Canada is the largest corporate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network, raising funds and awareness through its annual miracle balloon campaign, in-store events, vendor promotions, and Walmart Canada's signature event, the Walmart Walk for Miracles. Last year, Walmart Canada raised and donated $9.1 million for Children's Miracle Network. Since 1994, the company has contributed more than $50 million to Children's Miracle Network.

The 2011 Walmart Walk for Miracles will take place on Sunday, June 12. For more information, please visit www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca.

Walmart Walk for Miracles Fast Facts

    
    -   7th annual Walmart Walk for Miracles took place on Sunday, June 13 in
        12 markets across Canada from St. John's to Vancouver
    -   Approximately 15,000 participants took part in the walkathon
    -   The Vancouver Walk for Miracles recorded double the number of walkers
        over last year
    -   The Toronto Walk for Miracles was a water bottle-free event diverting
        nearly 10,000 bottles from landfill
    -   Walmart Canada's in-store balloon fundraising campaign results were
        up 16 per cent over last year
    -   The average online personal donation at www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca
        was up $6 over last year
    

Walmart Canada operates a growing network of more than 300 stores nationwide, serving more than one million Canadians daily. With 80,000 associates, the company is Canada's fourth largest employer. 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.

For further information: or images, please contact: Susan Schutta, Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada, 905-821-2111 x 8012