Walmart and Sam’s Club will be accepting donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, a charity that raises funds for children’s hospitals, at all Walmart and Sam’s Club locations between May 1 and June 13, 2011. Last year the six-week fundraising campaign surpassed the $15 million goal, raising $20 million for children’s hospitals across America.

Walmart customers and Sam’s Club members can make a donation to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital for as little as $1 while checking out at their nearby Walmart or Sam’s Club. Walmart’s goal for 2011’s six-week fundraising campaign is to raise $20 million, which would bring the total amount raised by Walmart and Sam’s Club for children’s hospitals to $580 million since 1987.

“Each year, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and members embrace the opportunity to help children in their community through the campaign because they understand that even a small donation can make a huge difference in the life of a sick child,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation.

“Year after year we are amazed by each and every Walmart and Sam’s Club across North America, all going above and beyond for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in their community,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “There are countless miracles taking place at children’s hospitals across North America, due in large part to the generosity of Walmart and Sam’s Club customers, members and associates.”

Because all donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals stay in the community where the donation was made, all 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will benefit from the fundraising campaign. Benefiting hospitals often use Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals funds to purchase life-saving equipment, invest in research or training, or cover the medical costs of uninsured or underinsured pediatric patients.

The retailer’s support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals began in 1987. Since then, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised and contributed more than $560 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the most ever raised for children’s hospitals by a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partner.