Walmart #2920 Goes the Distance for Local Kids
This past Friday, Walmart store #2920 in Fleming Island hosted its second annual Drive for CMN Golf Tournament at Eagle Harbor Golf Club and raised nearly $3,800 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Jacksonville. Twelve teams competed in a four-man golf scramble to take home a first-place trophy and raise funds that will help build a new, state-of-the-art milk lab for UF Health Jacksonville’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The milk lab project, which was revealed to Walmart and Sam’s Club associates at kickoff events earlier this year, will allow on-site nutritionists to streamline the feeding process and cut down on milk waste for the sickest and smallest patients.
At the tournament, players had the opportunity to bid in a silent auction, win raffle items donated by a number of local businesses and vendors, enjoy a post-game cookout and meet Miracle Child Zoe. Her mom, Kayla, shared her experience in the NICU and the importance of proper nutrition when improving the health of sick babies. Several players and even Eagle Harbor staff were impressed to learn how CMN Hospitals funds directly impact the community. “Most other charities you give to, you know the money is going to something good, but you’re never really sure how it’s helping. With CMN it’s amazing to see exactly what equipment has been purchased and how it helps the kids” said Marshall Collins, head golf professional for Eagle Harbor.
The Drive for CMN Golf Tournament is a team effort. Store Manager of 2920, Bob Delcino, has been with Walmart for 13 years and continues to push his associates to kick up their fundraising efforts for CMN Hospitals. “Stores that are successful at CMN fundraising have store managers who really support this cause and encourage associates to get involved and do more than just ask for donations at the register,” said Bob. While their Store Champion, Darlene, motivates cashiers to boost front end donations, Co-Manager, Eddie Welch, works closely with a small committee and coordinates efforts to host this annual tournament. For Eddie, it was a no-brainer combining his love of golf and passion for helping the kids treated at our local CMN Hospitals – UF Health Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Walmart is celebrating 30 years of making miracles happen with CMN Hospitals and currently hosting the annual register campaign to raise funds for pediatric hospitals across the US and Canada. Each store has the ability to fundraise year-round through in-store associate fundraisers or by hosting events like this golf tournament. However, most donations are collected $1 at a time through an ask at the register. Every dollar collected at a Walmart or Sam’s Club stays in that community to help local kids being treated at their CMN Hospital.
