Love's sets record fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
OKLAHOMA CITY, October 16, 2015 – Love’s Travel Stops store employees wrapped up a record-setting campaign to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. After holding countless bake sales, golf tournaments, cook outs, 5K runs, rummage sales and other events, employees at more than 350 stores in 40 states raised $2.15 million throughout the five-week in-store campaign, the largest amount in Love’s 17-year history of supporting CMN Hospitals. Since 1998, Love’s has raised more than $14 million for the nonprofit.
"We’re proud of the employees who pour their energy into the campaign," said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. "Many hundreds of store employees volunteer their time in fundraisers for five weeks while taking care of our customers. Their dedication is essential along with the continued support of our customers, without whom we wouldn’t be able to support such a great cause at this level."
From August 25-September 30, Love’s team members sold CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Balloons for donations and organized numerous events. Some managers and employees went above and beyond and got family members involved in the fundraising efforts. Spouses worked cookouts and children collected donations. The stores surpassed their goal of $2.1 million.
"We are continually impressed with the dedication and generosity that propels Love's Travel Stops to exceed their fundraising goals year after year," said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "Those results are saving kids' lives. Love's employees and customers should be proud of the tremendous impact they have on kids in their communities by funding vital treatments, research, equipment and charity care."
Pediatric medical care is the most expensive to provide, in part because of all the different sizes of equipment needed to treat kids ranging in size from a 1-pound micro-preemie to a 7-foot high school football player. Children’s hospitals also open their doors to all kids, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Member hospitals in the U.S. provide $3.4 billion in charity care annually. The money raised at each Love’s location benefits sick and injured children in that community.
Of the 170 CMN Hospitals members throughout North America, 96 benefit from Love’s annual campaign.
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1964, Love's has more than 350 locations in 40 states. Love's provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, travel items, electronics, snacks and more, as well as a selection of restaurant offerings. On-site Love's Truck Tire Care centers offer roadside assistance, tire care and light mechanical services for professional truck drivers. Showers, CAT scales and other services for professional truck drivers are also available. Love's, which remains family-owned and operated, employs more than 12,000 people and is currently ranked No. 13 on Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of America’s Largest Private Companies. To learn more, visit www.loves.com.
About Children's Miracle Network HospitalsChildren’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.