SickKids has 10 Million Reasons to be Thankful

Walmart Canada's initiatives raise $10 million for Hospital

TORONTO, Oct. 15 /CNW/ - This morning, nearly 75 Walmart Canada store associates and executives gathered at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to celebrate $10 million in donations. Raised predominantly through store-run initiatives, this funding is being used to support SickKids areas like patient care, equipment and research.

"Walmart Canada is one of our most valued and dedicated corporate supporters," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO of SickKids Foundation. "The company's tremendous support has allowed SickKids to attract and retain some of the world's best clinicians and researchers. It has meant we can provide these professionals with the highest quality facilities and equipment and invest in their clinical and research programs. We applaud Walmart for its philanthropic leadership and commitment to our mission of Healthier Children A Better World."

The milestone was marked with a plaque unveiling and celebration in the Slaight Family Atrium at SickKids. Attendees included representatives from Children's Miracle Network, Walmart Canada, SickKids employees and patient ambassadors. The plaque, honoring Walmart's philanthropy, will be displayed on the Fountain under the Children's Miracle Network Bridge in the Atrium at SickKids.

"Walmart's support has never wavered," said John Hartman, Chief International Officer, Children's Miracle Network. "Even in the recent economic downturn they continue to show leadership in good corporate philanthropy through their support of children's hospitals."

Walmart Canada has been supporting SickKids through Children's Miracle Network since 1994. Stores in Ontario cities like Mississauga, Belleville, Timmins and North Bay have hosted barbecues, baseball, hockey and bowling tournaments, 'dunk the manager' events and sold Miracle Balloons to accumulate the $10 million donation. Walmart's corporate office also provides a corporate match.

"For 16 years, Walmart Canada and its associates have been proud supporters of SickKids," said John Lawrence, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Walmart Canada. "We have created a very rewarding partnership with SickKids, helping to support patient care, equipment and research by means of corporate donations and customer contributions through our associates' fundraising efforts. We look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come."

Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. Compassionate organizations, media partners and countless individuals unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of more than 2.6 million Canadian children each year. To learn more go to childrensmiraclenetwork.ca.

Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing network of more than 300 stores nationwide, serving more than one million Canadians daily. With 82,000 associates, the company is Canada's third-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 more than $25 million or $490,000 weekly, to support more than one thousand charities and organizations in need.

SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation is the fundraising organization for The Hospital for Sick Children - one of Canada's most research-intensive hospitals and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for The Hospital for Sick Children. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $52.5 million in children's health research, education and care. A direct result of community support, this is one of the largest investments in paediatric health care and one of the largest contributions to a hospital anywhere in Canada.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: