Customers and employees of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Store donated $1.86 million throughout the company’s annual five-week drive to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. More than 330 Love’s stores in 39 states raised more money this year than ever before, bringing Love’s total contribution over the past 16 years to more than $12 million.
“We have fantastic customers who prove their loyalty every year during this campaign to raise money for sick and injured children and we’re grateful for their continued benevolence,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “We’re also proud of our countless employees who maintain their regular duties while planning fundraisers for this great cause. Our customers and employees helped us surpass our initial $1.7 million goal for the store campaign.”
During the campaign that ended Sept. 30, Love’s team members sold CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Balloons for donations and organized grassroots fundraising events for their communities like golf tournaments, bake sales, cookouts and concerts. Some brave-hearted managers even shaved their heads, arranged mascot Olympics, and sat in dunk tanks to motivate their teams to raise money.
“It’s the compassion and dedication shown by each and every Love’s employee that continually makes their annual campaign a success,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “We are grateful for all the employees and customers who opened their hearts to help make miracles happen in their own communities.”
Additional donations came in through events held at Love’s corporate office in Oklahoma City, including CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Marathon, a partner golf tournament and more, which raised more than $250,000 dollars. Musket Corp., a trading and distribution firm included in the Love’s Family of Companies, raised nearly $240,000 for CMN Hospitals at an event earlier this year, bringing Love’s total 2014 projected contribution to $2.5 million.
All funds benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital where the money was raised. Of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network partner hospitals throughout North America, 94 benefit from Love’s annual campaign.
