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Miracle Makers: A Father and Son Fundraising Powerhouse

Miracle Makers is a series of 30 stories from Walmart and Sam’s Club associates to celebrate the companies’ 30th anniversary of fundraising for CMN Hospitals

The plaque bore a powerful message: “Provided by donors to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”

These words decorated the bed of premature infant, Levi, at the Sanford Children’s Hospital Sioux Falls. And these words touched the hearts of his family, including, grandpa Ron and uncle Ben.

Ron DeGroot and his son, Ben are both Walmart associates in Mitchell, South Dakota and Marshall, Minnesota respectively. For years the two have assisted with local campaigns for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, swapping ideas and offering with support.

“The experience with Levi brought it home,” Ben says. “Before that, I knew the money we raised was staying local, but then I had someone personally affected by our children’s hospital. It made it that much more worthwhile to do the campaign and to bring that money to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”

And when the DeGroots share Levi’s story, they find others are eager to give.

“You don’t have to say a lot,” Ben says. “Kids hold a special place in people’s hearts.”

Help local children like Levi by giving at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club today.