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Miracle Makers: Retirement is Boring

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

Paul Lowery is a greeter at the Pier Park Walmart in Panama City Beach, Florida, but everyone there just calls him “Mr. Paul.”

When he retired from the automobile industry, Mr. Paul and his wife, Betty, moved to Florida. A few months went by, and Mr. Paul began to suffer from what he deems “retirement boredom.” So, he began writing children’s books.

After a while, Mr. Paul started looking for another positive outlet for his time. He also wanted to continue helping children. That’s when he found Walmart and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Mr. Paul now sits with a decorated cart at the store’s entrance, greeting customers and using his own special charm to raise money for children treated at The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart. “I just ask, ‘Can you spare a dollar to help sick children?’” he says.

Each day he fills up his donation bowl. “When I turn in the money from my bowl, I say, ‘Isn’t God great?’” Mr. Paul says. “I hope I’m making a dent in reaching what we need to save kids.”

Over the past four years, Mr. Paul has raised more than $200,000 for his local CMN Hospital.

You too can make a difference in the lives of children in your community. Donate at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club  today.