Local Walmart Associate With a Personal Connection to CMN Hospitals Campaign

The annual Walmart and Sam’s Club fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has a personal connection to a local Walmart associate. Jovona Elias was born on November 7th, 2001 at Freeman Health System, and was diagnosed with Gastroschisis. After undergoing surgery, she spent several weeks in the Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She is now 20 years old and getting ready to celebrate her 1 year anniversary with Walmart Neighborhood Market #4470 in Joplin. This year, she gets the chance to fundraise for the same hospital where she born.

The partnership between Walmart & Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is so vital. Donations made at Walmart have helped fund equipment such as the Angel Eye camera system in Freeman’s NICU. “I know that this would have been helpful to my mother, who had two other kids at home. Angel Eye has such an impact on mother’s who can’t stay at the hospital with their babies. I am so grateful to work for Walmart and have the opportunity to give back,” said Jovona.

Walmart and Sam’s Club are celebrating their 35th anniversary as the largest fundraising partner for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1987, they have raised more than $1 billion for local children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.