Atlanta Metro Region Helps Wal-Mart Raise $10 Million for Children's Miracle Network, Wins Free Concert from Country Superstar Tracy Byrd

Atlanta Metro Region Helps Wal-Mart Raise $10 Million for Children's Miracle Network, Wins Free Concert from Country Superstar Tracy Byrd

Concert One of Several Charitable Efforts by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club to Benefit Children's Hospitals Across America During the Month of May

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With Wal-Mart and Children's Miracle Network's month-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of their partnership completed, the organizations are proud to award the community that purchased the most Miracle Balloons in May, Atlanta, Ga., with a free concert by country music star Tracy Byrd. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club associates and customers in the Atlanta metro region purchased nearly 272,000 Miracle Balloons throughout the month, helping the company to meet its goal to raise $10 million during the month of May for children's hospitals nationwide. Byrd, who has recorded 11 critically acclaimed albums, will perform for free in the Atlanta area before the end of the year.

In addition to aggressive Miracle Balloon sales, Wal-Mart raised money for Children's Miracle Network through several other initiatives. For two weeks in May, the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club Foundation donated two cents to Children's Miracle Network for every safe mile driven by Wal-Mart's Private Fleet Drivers. In total, this initiative raised more than $400,000. Wal-Mart also partnered with XM radio to facilitate the XMKids Traveling Roadshow, a 21-day bus tour across the United States that stopped at various Wal-Mart locations, broadcasting live and providing concerts featuring some of the nation's premier recording artists for young people. At each tour stop, shoppers and listeners were encouraged to donate to Children's Miracle Network.

On May 31, in-store 20th anniversary celebrations were held in Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs throughout the country. In 20 stores, patients from local Children's Miracle Network hospitals went on $1,000 shopping sprees with hometown celebrities. Celebrities ranged from government officials and local athletes to pageant winners and radio personalities. Marie Osmond, LeAnn Rimes, Mary Lou Retton and Miss America Lauren Nelson also lent their support to the month-long celebration by traveling across the country, visiting stores and clubs, and speaking to the media to raise awareness about Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

"May was a remarkable month for Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and the Children's Miracle Network," said Pat Curran, executive vice president, Wal-Mart Stores people division. "We always set ambitious goals at Wal-Mart, but $10 million in one month was a record-breaker, even for us. Thanks to our associates and customers, children across the country will get the care they need and deserve. Our success with this fundraising campaign is just one example of how Wal-Mart associates and customers have a positive impact on the world."

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. As evident by May's activities, Wal-Mart and Children's Miracle Network continue to celebrate that decision and the impact it has had on children across the nation. In total, 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.

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 http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/.

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

Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://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 http://www.walmartfacts.com/, http://www.walmartstores.com/, or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: pauline.tureman@wal-mart.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010831/WALMARTLOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

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

Web site:

http://www.walmartstores.com/
http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/
http://www.walmartfacts.com/
http://www.walmartfoundation.org/

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