Third annual CMN Event raises money for children
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Visit the Valley Walmart for the third annual CMN Event on June 13 and June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. All donations benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and Piedmont Hospital.
“We're going to have some food vendors,” said Valley Walmart Vision Center Manager and Event Host Amber Spraggins. “I know we're going to have a barbecue truck, we're going to have a hot dog truck, we're going to have a soda splash truck, a seafood truck and then we're going to have a bunch of vendors, crafts, homemade desserts, boutique styles, lemonade stands and a variety of stuff.”
Spraggins said the Valley Walmart has been hosting events in Chambers County to benefit CMN for years, and the donations support a mission of helping children through medical care.
“As long as I've been with Walmart, which has been over 11 years, they have always raised money for the Children's Miracle Network,” she said. “I know that they raised over a million dollars last year to give to the Children's Miracle Network from all the Walmarts. This is just something that we love to do throughout the company. It helps us give back, and it helps us get out into the community. Also, it helps the children get taken care of, so we enjoy doing it every year.”
With growth every year, Spraggins said the community has become increasingly excited and invested in this local event to help children.
“The first year was kind of a learning process,” she said. “The second year, the community understood and they got excited. I think we only had 25 vendors and food trucks last year, and this year we have over 50 or 60. So, the community is really reaching out, they're getting excited about it. It's growing each year, and I think it's going to be a pretty big event.
"I've had a few people say that they're excited every year to come out, and they know that the money is going to a great place and it's going to help our local children's hospital.”
Along with the impact CMN has on the community, Spraggins said her family has been directly impacted by the healthcare provided through the nonprofit.
“It actually runs deep with me, because my cousin got help from the Children's Miracle Network,” she said. “He's no longer with us, but I will say it is a great, great thing they were able to help our family. I've got to see it firsthand, and all the money raised takes the stress off of the parents, and it gives them light and enjoyment. And I enjoy getting out in the community and trying to make it bigger, and just getting to know that we're actually doing something meaningful.”
For those who are unable to attend the first event, Spraggins said she is excited to offer two dates for more people to attend and donate.
“I’m excited because if they can't come to the first event, they have the option to come to the second event, and it also just helps us raise more money for the Children's Miracle Network,” she said.
