The partnership was formed by Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, with a promise that “the associates will amaze you” and they certainly have. Since becoming a CMN member hospital, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has benefitted from the more than $8 million raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club for CMN Hospitals throughout Central Florida. 

It is the community at large, however, that is the greatest recipient of the funds, benefiting from the advanced medical treatment available thanks to their charitable support. In some cases, it is the very people fundraising who find themselves needing specialized care for their children.

“Both of my children suffered from severe seizures when they were young. My daughter was just two years old when she was transported to the hospital by the Critical Care team in the Mobile ICUs that CMN funds have purchased. My son was two and a half when he was sent by life-flight to the hospital. I look forward to the campaign every year because there is no amount of money I could personally repay the hospital, the doctors and everyone who helped save the lives of my kids. What I can give, is all my time to raise as much as possible to help kids like mine who will need support in years to come. I’m proud to work for Walmart, a company that cares about the health and well-being of children.” – Kelley Staats, Walmart associate for 19-years.

Walmart and Sam’s Club share a basic belief that every child deserves the chance to live better, and because they continue fundraising for kids today, the hospital remains able to care for kids tomorrow.