Celebrating 27 Years of Miracle for Kids in Eastern North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

Annual Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Broadcast raises $1,305,618.

    GREENVILLE, N.C.     Miracle Children and their stories of remarkable courage during life-threatening illnesses and injuries helped make the 27th 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 Vidant Children's Hospital.

    The theme of this year's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign has been "You Make a Difference." During the broadcast, viewers were shown items funded with donations to CMN Hospitals. Viewers were also given updates on the expansion project currently under way at Vidant Children's Hospital.

    Major contributors to the yearly event, held June 1 and 3 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.

    "Once again eastern North Carolina came through with tremendous support and generosity," said Sarah Davenport, chair of the Vidant Health and Vidant Medical Center Foundation boards, of which Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a part. "Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made a financial gift or who gave their time as a volunteer throughout this past weekend. Because of them, a tremendous difference will be made in countless children's lives here in eastern North Carolina."

    The Celebration Broadcast featured guests and sponsors who have contributed during the past year, as well as callers who pledged their support.
Children's Miracle Network: Above.     photo by Melia Coffey
    The Music for Miracles Radiothon on Classic Hits 107.9 WNCT raised more than $123,000 during the 15th 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, which contributed $300,000. This year's donation brings the total amount The Service League of Greenville has contributed to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to $2,822,033.

    Food Lion, a national partner of CMN Hospitals, had another incredible year of fundraising. Collectively, the 50 local stores raised an amazing $255,310. Other major donors and their gifts were Walmart/Sam's Clubs with $109,395; Log A Load for Kids with $95,000; Carmike Cinemas contributed $20,087 and Golden Corral with $19,357.

    Two new fundraising initiatives proved successful for this year's campaign, including the 104.7 La Invasora Radiothon which raised $35,222. Coins for Kids, a fundraising program that took place in schools throughout eastern North Carolina, raised $36,560 for CMN Hospitals.

    Other campaign contributors were Jersey Mike's Subs (eastern North Carolina stores) with $16,087; Dance Arts Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet with $15,178; RE/MAX with $12,850; Wells Fargo Foundation with $11,050; Rite Aid with $9,355; Dairy Queen with $7,381; Pungo Christian Academy with $6,573; and Progress Energy with $5,045. The Electric Cooperatives of Eastern Carolina, Eastern Radiologists, Inc., Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group, Potash Corporation, 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. The Butlers have been longtime supporters of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

    Additional gifts were from Security's Lending Hand Foundation with $4,500; South Central High School Honor Societies with $3,926; South Lenoir High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes with $3,356; Combined Federal Campaign with $3,133; Ace Hardware with $3,104; IHOP with $3,061; Greater Greenville Kiwanis Club with $3,689; ECU Greek Life - Dance Marathon with $2,764; Friends of Melvin Butler with $2,403; Grady White Boats with $2,000; Ollie's Bargain Outlet with $1,609; Vidant Edgecombe Blue Jeans for Babies with $1,300; Pitt County Legends Fastpitch Team with $1,140; and brothers, Arun and Ajay Ajmera each with $1,001. Aldridge and Southerland Realtors, Alliance One, Greenville Pediatrics, Oasis Temple #111 and the Kiwanis Club of Greenville each gave $1,000.

    "Our donors make the difference for children throughout eastern North Carolina," says Laura Lee Potter, program director for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "They save lives and bring miracles to thousands of children each year by sharing their financial resources, volunteer hours and other types of support. Their generosity makes sure we can provide advanced medical care, close to home, to the families and children who depend on us."

    Contact: Laura Lee Potter (252) 847-2640, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Program Director
Beth Anne Atkins (252) 847-7735, Vidant Health Public Relations

    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.