"Help create real miracles"

Walmart Walk for Miracles Draws Local Celebs, Kids' Characters and Thousands of Walkers to Raise Funds for Canada's Children's Hospitals

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 8, 2012 /CNW/ - On Sunday, June 10, thousands of participants will take part in the 2012 Walmart Walk to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network in support of Canada's 14 children's hospitals. The ninth annual Walmart Walk for Miracles is being held consecutively in 12 cities from coast-to-coast, including: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's. The company hopes to raise millions of dollars to support the 2.6 million children who receive care each year at children's hospitals across the country.  Funds raised will support care, treatment and medical research for Canadian kids. The walks will be bolstered by in-store sales of Children's Miracle Network balloons at all Walmart stores across Canada.

"Walmart Canada is committed to helping families in need. The Walmart Walk for Miracles is an amazing event and supports such an important cause. One hundred per cent of funds raised through the Walmart Walk for Miracles and walk-related activities are donated to Children's Miracle Network to help provide much needed funds to children's hospitals across Canada," said Shelley Broader, president and CEO, Walmart Canada. "Each local walk will benefit the nearest children's hospital or hospital foundation. I encourage everyone to come out and walk with us on Sunday, and help create real miracles."

Walmart Canada is actively involved in environmental sustainability. For this year's walk, pledge forms were printed on FSC-approved, 100 per cent post-consumer waste paper and the number of forms printed was reduced by more than 40 per cent over the previous year.  Leftover packaged food product will also be donated to local food banks. Each walk site will have a team of recycling volunteers whose main role is to assist with site maintenance and ensure that as much waste as possible is recycled.

Through events like this, Walmart Canada has become the number-one supporter of Children's Miracle Network raising funds and awareness through its annual miracle balloon campaign, in-store events, vendor promotions and the Walmart Walk for Miracles has become its signature philanthropic event.   Since 1994, Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $57 million to Children's Miracle Network.

To participate in the Walmart Walk for Miracles or to make a donation online, visit www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca

About Walmart Canada
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Walmart Canada operates a growing network of more than 330 stores and one of the strongest community involvement programs in Canada. Walmart Canada gives back to local communities in ways that matter most to its customers and associates. In 2011, the company raised and donated more than $25 million or $480,000 weekly, to charities and organizations in need. Visit www.walmartcsr.ca for more company information or follow Walmart Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/walmartcanada.

Each local walk will benefit the nearest children's hospital or hospital foundation.
VANCOUVER: Stanley Park - Second Beach; BC Children's Hospital
CALGARY: Pumphouse Park; Alberta Children's Hospital
EDMONTON: Gold Bar Park; Stollery Children's Hospital
SASKATOON: Friendship Park; Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan
WINNIPEG: St. Vital Park; Winnipeg Children's Hospital
LONDON: Springbank Park -Springbank Gardens Community Centre Entrance; Children's Health Foundation London
HAMILTON: Confederation Park; McMaster Children's Hospital
TORONTO: Coronation Park; The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
OTTAWA: Confederation Park; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
MONTREAL: Angrignon Park; Opération Enfant Soleil
HALIFAX: Shubie Park; IWK Health Centre
ST JOHN'S: Quidi Vidi Lake; Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre