DAYTON – All Miami Valley Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs kicked off this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising campaign on Monday to help treat local children who are sick or injured.

All money raised during the Dayton area CMN Hospitals campaign directly benefits Dayton Children’s Hospital to fund critical treatments, pediatric medical equipment, research and charitable care. The Walmart-Sam’s Club CMN Hospitals campaign runs from June 10 through July 7.

“Each year our associates look forward to getting involved in this campaign and will often challenge each other with the single goal to surpass the amount raised the year before,” said Tracy Saunders, Walmart market manager for the Dayton area. “Each of our stores takes supporting the communities they serve very seriously. However, they all become very passionate when it comes to the CMN campaign and the opportunity to help sick and injured children and their families.”

To date, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, members and customers in the Dayton area have raised $3,745,873 for Dayton Children’s Hospital, most of it one dollar at a time. On a national level, Walmart and Sam’s Club have raised more than $1 billion for CMN Hospitals; according to Engaged for Good, this is the largest cash amount ever raised by one company for a nonprofit in North America.

The need is staggering – 62 children enter a Children’s Miracle Network hospital for treatment every minute. Here’s how to participate:

• Spread the word and encourage others to support the CMN Hospitals campaign via social media with custom CMN Gifs and the hashtag #HelpKidsLiveBetter

Through the leadership of Sam Walton, Walmart and Sam’s Club joined the CMN Hospitals fundraising family in 1987. This annual fundraising campaign supports Walmart’s core belief of leveraging the company’s strength to give back to local communities.