Wal-Mart, Children's Miracle Network Celebrate 20-Year Partnership

Wal-Mart, Children's Miracle Network Celebrate 20-Year Partnership

XM Radio, Marie Osmond, LeAnn Rimes and Miss America to help raise $10 million during the month of May

SALT LAKE CITY, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Children's Miracle Network today announced the kick-off of a month-long initiative to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their efforts to help children's hospitals across the country. During the month of May, the two organizations plan to raise $10 million by selling Miracle Balloons in Wal- Mart stores and Sam's Clubs nationwide, arranging in-store celebrity visits and partnering with XM Radio on a 20-city roadshow. Through their 20-year partnership, Wal-Mart and CMN have thus far raised $387 million.

"Wal-Mart and their associates have been such an integral part of our fundraising and hospitals over the years," said Jim Hall, CEO of Children's Miracle Network. "We are thrilled that they have stepped up to raising such an incredible amount of money."

Wal-Mart will launch an aggressive plan to sell Miracle Balloons and implement a variety of different efforts to help drive additional awareness. Wal-Mart has partnered with XM Radio to facilitate the 'XMKids Traveling Roadshow,' (www.xmradio.com/onxm/features/xmkids.xmc) a 30-day bus tour across the United States that will stop at various Wal-Mart locations, broadcasting live and providing concerts featuring some of the nation's premier recording artists for young people. In addition, on May 31 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations throughout the country will host in-store 20th anniversary celebrations.

Marie Osmond, LeAnn Rimes and Miss America Lauren Nelson will also lend their support to the month-long initiative by traveling around the country, visiting stores and clubs, and speaking to the media to raise awareness of Wal-Mart's $10 million goal.

"We are very proud to help Children's Miracle Network as they work to improve the health and welfare of children by raising funds and awareness for their hospitals," said Pat Curran, Executive Vice President, Wal-Mart Stores People Division. "Our associates are committed to giving back to our communities, and with their passion and heart we can make a difference."

In 1987, moved by a desire to impact the medical needs of children, Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, partnered with Children's Miracle Network. Twenty years later, Wal-Mart and Children's Miracle Network celebrate that decision and the impact it has had on children across the nation. Wal-Mart associates have raised more than $387 million for children's hospitals since 1987, and that number continues to grow as 1.3 million associates in over 4,000 locations support Children's Miracle Network. Their goal of raising $10 million in the month of May serves to commemorate this achievement.

About Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals across North America. Each year the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. To learn more visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com.

The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Children's Miracle Network; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

CONTACT: Megan Woodman, of CMN, +1-801-278-8900; or Shannon Frederick of
Wal-Mart, 800-331-0085

Web site:

http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/
http://www.walmart.com/

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