6.02.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Whether they suffer from broken arms or lifelong illnesses, children across North America will reap the benefits of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s record-setting contribution to children's health care. The company this weekend will present a check for $30 million - The most ever by a corporate sponsor - during Children's Miracle Network's (CMN) annual fund-raising broadcast.

Throughout the year, 900,000 associates of Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs, distribution centers and support facilities in the United States and Canada sponsored a variety of fund-raising activities - from crazy hat contests to carnivals - to support CMN's 170 affiliate hospitals. One hundred percent of the funds raised by CMN sponsors stays in the local community to benefit local kids.

"Year after year the associates and customers of Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club come through with tremendous generosity and a lot of hard work to help serve the critical needs of their local hospitals," said Mick Shannon, president of Children's Miracle Network. "Their fund-raising efforts have helped make it possible to treat more than 14 million children last year alone - regardless of a family's ability to pay."

As the No. 1 national sponsor of CMN, Wal-Mart has contributed more than $190 million to CMN affiliate hospitals since 1988 to purchase new equipment, fund medical research and provide patient care.

"Miracles happen every day at children's hospitals, thanks to expert medical care," said Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's president and chief executive officer. "Our associates know that the funds they raise for local CMN hospitals help save young lives by providing financial resources needed for specially trained doctors and staff, and truly miraculous pediatric medical equipment."

Children treated at Arkansas Children's Hospital will benefit from the largest single hospital donation made by the retailer this year -- $1 million raised by Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club associates and customers throughout the state.

Other top regional funds raised include:

$838,000 - Riley Hospital for Children (Indianapolis)
$778,000 - Cardinal Glennon and St. Louis Children's Hospital (St. Louis)
$693,000 - Duke Children's Hospital (Durham, N.C.)
$648,000 - Children's Memorial Medical Center (Chicago)
$613,000 - All Children's Hospital (St. Petersburg)
$587,000 - Children's Hospital of the Greenville System (Greenville, S.C.)
$569,000 - Children's Hospital of Alabama (Birmingham, Ala.)
$554,000 - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wis.)
$530,000 - Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, The Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center, University Hospital (Charlotte, N.C.)

Wal-Mart's donation will be presented on the national CMN Broadcast on Sunday, June 5, between 5 and 6 p.m., EDT.

CMN hospitals are not-for-profit organizations providing pediatric healthcare for any child, regardless of the family's financial situation. Children's hospitals are specifically designed to care for children, providing access to advanced pediatric equipment and staff who specialize in working with children. The hospitals also address the emotional needs of the children and their families, offering support from child life specialists, training for the family, environments attractive to children, play rooms, and other services and activities.

Wal_Mart Stores, Inc. empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through its "Good Works" initiative. Last year, associates of the company's 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $163 million to charitable organizations nationwide. In addition, Wal_Mart and SAM'S Club employ a number of programs that encourage children's health and safety, education and community-minded awareness. For more information about Wal-Mart's Good Works efforts, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.