The 41st annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast raised an incredible $1,086,906 to support pediatric care at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, bringing the total raised over four decades to $36.6 million. Thanks to the ongoing support of donors, volunteers and partners, children from across our region continue to receive the highest quality care, close to home.
Produced by longtime CMN partner WITN, this year’s broadcast highlighted the real-life impact of CMN support through heartfelt stories from patients, families and care teams at Maynard Children’s Hospital. The program demonstrated how community generosity helps ensure children throughout eastern North Carolina have access to exceptional pediatric care when they need it most, with a special $100,000 matching gift from a true friend of Maynard Children’s Hospital providing even greater support.
“The generosity displayed during this year’s telethon is a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs, ECU Health Foundation. “Every donation represents an investment in the health and future of local kids and families. We are deeply grateful to the businesses, organizations, volunteers and individual donors whose support helps Maynard Children’s Hospital provide advanced care, innovative treatments and hope for children throughout eastern North Carolina.”
Funds raised during the Celebration Broadcast ensure that children from across the region have access to the highest quality care, advanced medical equipment and life-saving programs. Each dollar raised stays local to support pediatric services at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Major sponsors once again demonstrated their generosity, with the following top contributors each giving at least $100,000: Speedway, part of 7-11, Inc ($174,903), Walmart and Sam’s Club ($157,802), Music for Miracles Radiothon ($121,980) and Log A Load for Kids ($100,000).
The following sponsors each made a significant impact with donations totaling more than $20,000: Dance Arts Theatre ($34,814), Panda Express ($26,947) and Extra Life ($21,362).
The following organizations contributed between $5,000 and $20,000: Ace Hardware, American Builders, Barbour Hendrick Honda of Greenville, Dairy Queen, Eastern Radiologists, Miller and Friends Lemonade Stand, Ollie’s, Phi Mu, Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group and Publix.
Additional support came from these generous sponsors who contributed between $1,000 and $5,000: Ajay Ajmera, Arun Ajmera, Beaufort Hardware and Print Company, Builder’s Discount Center, Care-O-World, Grady-White Boats, Harris, Creech, Ward & Blackerby, P.A., RE/MAX, Oasis Shrine, Piratethon, Ricci Law Firm, Stallings Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, Valvoline, Walgreens and Wawa.
The local CMN fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, the non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health and the colleges and schools of the Health Sciences at ECU. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds.
The 40th annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast raised an incredible $1,278,873 to support pediatric care at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, bringing the total raised over four decades to $35.6 million.
Produced by longtime CMN partner WITN, this year’s broadcast celebrated 40 years of community generosity and the thousands of children whose lives have been touched by Maynard Children’s Hospital. Viewers were inspired by heartfelt stories of healing and hope, and a special $100,000 matching gift doubled the impact for kids across eastern North Carolina.
Among the many touching moments was recognition of four dedicated volunteers: Fred Anderson, Debbie Austin, Vivian Bazemore and Diane Oakley, who have given their time to every telethon since the very first in 1986!
Thanks to the ongoing support of donors, volunteers and partners, children from across our region continue to receive the highest quality care, close to home.
“This year’s Celebration Broadcast was incredibly special, marking 40 years of support for Children’s Miracle Network and bringing together those who have made a difference,” said Elise Ironmonger, Director of Programs at the ECU Health Foundation. “It was amazing to reflect on this journey and connect with our dedicated supporters. We also honored the generous businesses, community groups and individuals whose commitment will continue to save lives and bring hope to the children at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
To commemorate 40 years of making miracles happen in eastern North Carolina, the event included many special acknowledgements to celebrate the milestone. Former WITN personalities throughout the years provided messages of encouragement and support while past miracle children provided updates on their journeys and how their lives were directly impacted by the generous donations from the telethon. Four loyal volunteers joined the celebration for their 40th time, attending all 40 telethons throughout the years: Fred Anderson, Debbie Austin, Vivian Bazemore and Diane Oakley. Another very special moment included an interview with Lillian Jones, who honored her late husband, Dick Jones, WITN personality and talent who hosted the very first telethon in 1986.
Funds raised during the Celebration Broadcast ensure that children from across the region have access to the highest quality care, advanced medical equipment and life-saving programs. Each dollar raised stays local to support pediatric services at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Major sponsors once again demonstrated their generosity, with the following top contributors each giving at least $100,000:
- Speedway, part of 7-11, Inc: $209,647
- Jersey Mike’s Subs: $188,375
- Walmart and Sam’s Club: $153,672
- Music for Miracles Radiothon: $113,734
- Log A Load for Kids: $100,000
The following sponsors each made a significant impact with donations totaling over $25,000: Ace Hardware ($37,383), Panda Express ($32,035), Dance Arts Theatre ($28,876) and Extra Life ($26,345).
Coming through in a big way, the following organizations donated between $5,000-$20,000: Central Heating and Air Conditioning, Barbour Hendrick Honda of Greenville, Electric Cooperative of ENC, Dairy Queen, Ollies, Phi Mu, Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group, American Builders, Publix and Eastern Radiologists.
Finally, a big thanks to these generous donors who contributed between $1,000-$5,000: Miller & Friends Lemonade Stand, Grady White Boats, RE/MAX, Whistle Express Car Wash, Care-O-World, Baynor Inc, Ajay Ajmera, Arun Ajmera, Ricci Law Firm, Builder’s Discount Center, Harris, Creech, Ward & Blackerby PA, MSL Healthcare Partners, Stallings Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, POPS Mart Fuels and Aldridge & Southerland.
The local CMN Hospitals fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, the non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds.
