Inspire 2024 ANNUAL DONOR REPORT
CMN: Big Island Goes Big
Walmart leaders from across Hawaii gathered to celebrate their 2024 CMN fundraising campaign, which raised $759,301.
Out of more than 4,600 Walmart stores in the U.S., Hilo and Kona Walmarts are truly two of a kind.
No other Walmart in the nation raised more money than either of the Big Island stores in Walmart’s 2024 fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. Together, they raised well over a quarter-million dollars. But the story behind the numbers is even more remarkable.
Hilo Walmart raised $166,623 in just 28 days. Not only was this the store’s fifth time being the No. 1 fundraising Walmart in the country, the Hilo store reached an incredible milestone of $1 million in lifetime donations to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Some of Hilo Walmart’s team marking their $1 million fundraising milestone.
When Kona Walmart store manager John Yates III heard of his counterpart’s successes, he decided to step it up.
“We’ve always done well. In 2023, we were in the top 50 in the company,” John said. “But when our regional manager stopped by after visiting Hilo, she was so excited about what they were generating over there and we didn’t quite have that excitement. That was the spark.”
Kona Walmart store manager John Yates III (in black) at an event celebrating the store’s best-ever CMN fundraiser.
The Kona team got to work and assembled a jam-packed fundraising calendar. There were so many food sales, they lost count. Associates belted out tune after tune on the karaoke machine to encourage exiting customers to drop donations into fishing nets. Those who didn’t sing, danced, including John, who broke out his best moves while wearing a chicken suit. One day, dozens of employees went outside and had a huge water balloon fight under the hot Kona sun.
Michael Mortera, Kona Walmart’s apparel team lead who spearheaded the store’s CMN campaign, believes the entire team was so motivated because many of them have personal connections to Kapiolani.
Michael Mortera (front row, far left), Kona Walmart apparel team lead and lead organizer of the store’s CMN campaign, with his team.
“Most of our associates know someone who was helped at Kapiolani, whether it’s their kids, niece or nephew, or even themselves,” Michael said. “So they know how important this campaign is.”
Kona’s campaign raised $102,270 — a staggering 249% increase from the previous year —which made them No. 2 in the nation, just behind Hilo. But ask anyone from either store who won, and they’ll tell you the winner was Team Big Island.
“I told myself this is not about us being No. 1,” said Wendel Dait, Hilo Walmart frontend coach and the store’s CMN campaign lead. “This is about helping Kapiolani.”
Hilo Walmart associates, including Nora Galarse, helped the store raise $166,623 for Kapiolani.
Statewide, the nine Walmart stores, two Sam’s Club locations and one distribution center collectively raised more than $819,000 for Kapiolani in 2024.
United in a common cause, they’re making an impact on the lives of children all across Hawaii and beyond, now and for years to come.