Celebrating 29 Years of Miracles for Kids in Eastern North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

    For Immediate Release:

Annual Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Broadcast raises $1,775,481.

    GREENVILLE, N.C.     Miracle Children and their stories of remarkable courage during life-threatening illnesses and injuries helped make the 29th annual Celebration Broadcast a tremendous success.

    Thanks to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' longtime television partner, WITN, which produces the two-day fund raiser, this year's miracle children were able to share their heartwarming stories of complex illnesses and traumatic injuries and the quality medical care they received from James and Connie Maynard Children's Hospital at Vidant Medical Center.

    The theme of this year's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign has been "Help Us Help the Kids," which shows how important donations are in helping shape a healthier tomorrow for patients served at Children's Hospital.

    Major contributors to the yearly event, held May 30 and June 1 to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, featured contributions from long-time supporters from across eastern North Carolina that included Food Lion, Walmart/ Sam's Clubs and Log-A -Load for Kids. Loyal Greenville contributors included the Service League of Greenville and the 107.9 Music for Miracles Radiothon.

    "It is amazing to see eastern North Carolina come through with tremendous support and generosity for sick and injured children," said Parker Overton, chair of the Vidant Health and Vidant Medical Center Foundation boards, of which Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a part. "To all those who made a donation or gave of their time to volunteer for the event, we give our heartfelt thanks. Because of the generosity of others, a tremendous difference will be made in many children's lives here in eastern North Carolina who may need Maynard Children's Hospital."

    The Celebration Broadcast featured guests and sponsors who have contributed during the past year, as well as callers who pledged their support.

    The Music for Miracles Radiothon on Classic Hits 107.9 WNCT raised more than $119,000 during the 17th year of their special event. This year's event included a generous challenge match provided by Dubose National Energy Services.

    The largest donor to this year's campaign came from The Service League of Greenville who continued their longtime support of CMN Hospitals with a donation of $500,000. This year's donation brings the total amount The Service League of Greenville has contributed to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to $3,572,033.

    Food Lion, LLC and Associates, a national partner of CMN Hospitals had another incredible year of fundraising and contributed $379,486. Other major donors and their gifts were Walmart/Sam's Clubs with $150,680; Log-A-Load for Kids with $100,000; and Jersey Mike's Subs (eastern North Carolina stores) with $32,153.

    Several local fundraising initiatives proved successful for this year's campaign, including the 104.7 La Invasora Radiothon which raised $77,601. The International Taste of Greenville, held on May 1 raised over $25,000 in its second year. Coins for Kids, a fundraising program that took place in schools throughout eastern North Carolina, raised $14,245 for CMN Hospitals.

    Other campaign contributors were Carmike Cinemas with $21,860, Dairy Queen with $15,042, RE/MAX with $13,469, Dance Arts Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet with $11,663; Paddle for Kids with $10,953; Rite Aid with $10,093; Potash Corporation, ECU Dance Marathon with $9,800; The Electric Cooperatives of Eastern Carolina with $10,000; Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group, and Harris, Creech, Ward and Blackerby, P.A. each contributed $5,000.

    A special gift of $10,000 was presented by Melvin Butler of Roanoke Rapids in memory of his wife of 55 years, Frances, who passed away in December 2011. The Butlers have been longtime supporters of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

    Additional gifts were from Pungo Christian Academy with $4,018; Securities Lending Hand Foundation with $4,000; Ace Hardware with $3,586; IHOP with $3,527; Greater Greenville Kiwanis Club with $5,125; Kiwanis Clubs of Division 17 with $2,829; Greenville Little Leagues with $2,597; Ollie's Bargain Outlet with $2,245; Terra Ceia Christian School with $2,146; Grady White Boats with $2,000; Progress Energy with $1,819; South Lenoir High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes with $1,725; Phi Mu Chapter of ECU with $1,633; Combined Federal Campaign with $1,571; Southwest Middle School with $1,503; Vidant Edgecombe Blue Jeans for Babies with $1,200; and brothers, Arun and Ajay Ajmera each with $1,001. Aldridge and Southerland Realtors, Alliance One, Greenville Pediatrics, Pecheles Automotive of Greenville, Pugh's Tire, and the Kiwanis Club of Greenville each gave $1,000.

    "This broadcast takes place once a year, but our dedicated supporters work continuously to support our cause, " said Laura Lee Potter, program director of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "It is thanks to the big hearts and generosity of people throughout eastern North Carolina that we can continue to provide the financial support for programs and services at Maynard Children's Hospital."


    Contact: Laura Lee Potter, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Program Director, (252) 847-5437

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 744-3891, or parrotthillh@ecu.edu

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com