Giant's 'Candles For Kids' 2012 Fundraiser Raises over $750,000

Customers and associates at GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets showed their holiday spirit of giving by donating a record-breaking $751,029 during the annual “Candles for Kids” in-store campaign in support of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.

Last year’s Candles for Kids campaign raised $586,628.

“Once again, we are gratified and overwhelmed by the generous support of our
customers and associates who believe in our mission of improving the lives of children,” said Rick Herring, president. “We are thrilled to donate another record-setting amount to CMN hospitals to provide the care and resources needed to help kids fighting for good health this holiday season and all year long.”

GIANT/MARTIN’S conducted its annual “Candles for Kids” in-store CMN fundraising campaign Nov. 25 through Dec. 8.

Customers were encouraged to purchase a paper candle at the checkout for $1 each and to write their names on these candles which were then displayed in the stores.

Over the past 16 years, GIANT/MARTIN’S has raised more than $26 million to support seven Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, which include:

• Penn State Children’s Hospital at Penn State Hershey Medical Center,
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,
• Johns Hopkins Children’s Center,
• Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Health Systems,
• University of Virginia Children's Hospital,
• University of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital,
• Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Children’s Miracle Network – the alliance of premier hospitals fo children – is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals across North America.

Each year the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind.