Sam’s Club donates historic amount to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Thursday was a special day as Sam’s Club donated a check for $70,948 to Freeman Health System and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The money donated to the CMN is used for assistance with medical needs like prescriptions, medical equipment and specialty care as well as supporting Freeman pediatricians and maternal/child departments.

The Joplin Sam’s Club, store no. 6415, had four weeks from June 7 to July 10 to take donations from members to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“The majority of our money comes from members’ donations at registers,” Sam’s Club manager Rob Thomas said. “We do events, we had a cookout at the hospital. We sell business banners, but a lot of it is just giving, everyone giving as they go out.” 

The fundraiser has been a regular annual event for Sam’s Club and Walmart around the country. 

This year was special, though, for the Joplin Sam’s Club. Not only was the nearly $71,000 almost $10,000 more than last year’s total, it was a historic number. 

“The amount we raised was the highest amount ever raised (in the nation) in the company’s history for a Sam’s Club in four weeks,” Thomas said. “We have some Walmarts in Hawaii that have raised over $100,000, but as a Sam’s Club, this is the largest amount ever.”