×
×
homepage logo

Local Food Lion raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network

By Staff | Sep 13, 2013

A Fun Fest celebration will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shepherdstown Food lion. The local market is once again participating in the annual drive to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Store manager Dottie Cooper shared that the day-long event will offer games with prizes, activities sch as face painting and visits with Leo the Lion (Food Lion’s mascot) and the Sweet Frog mascot as well as a donut eating contest and much more. Those interested in the donut eating contest should sign up in the store and can work to get sponsors for the event to help raise additional funds.

All proceeds from the day’s activities will be combined with the funds raised to date by store employees in efforts to top the amount the store raised last year.

“Last year we raised $10,671,” Cooper said. Those funds were raised through a yard sale, bake sales and funds from the register sales when a customer purchases either a balloon (in June) or a football (in September). The football promotion is underway currently in the store and will run until the end of September. While the patron can purchase a football to have their name displayed for as little as $1, the patron can give a higher donation to help the cause.

To motivate the staff, Cooper says that her store offers a contest between cashiers with a gift card for the associate who sells the most footballs (and balloons during the spring contest).

“It definitely motivates the employees,” she said. “A lot of people who work here have kids,” she continued, “and they connect with it.”

Cooper said that those who wish to join in may take a trip to Children’s Hospital for a tour and to visit with the children who are patients there. She has taken such a tour in the past and said it is “very touching and inspirational.”

Cooper said that in looking at what the store raised last year, their annual sales margin and other factors, Food Lion’s corporate offices have set Shepherdstown’s goal at $14,402 for this year. Currently, she said, they have raised $6,885.

“I would love to see $1,500 to $2,000 out of this event,” Cooper said. “Our community has always been helpful to us in raising the funds.”

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. Since 1983, the organization has raised more than $4.7 billion-most of it $1 at a time-for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.