Giant/Martin’s announced record-breaking results for the grocers’ annual in-store Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals balloon campaign raising $758,610.

The announcement was made at Giant/Martin’s signature CMN Celebrity Putting Contest that paired Penn State Children’s Hospital’s “Miracle” children with locally renowned media personalities.

“We humbly thank our loyal customers who joined with us in bringing hope to our communities and our local children’s hospitals,” said Matt Simon, Giant/Martin’s vice president, marketing.

“We are once again amazed at the generosity of our customers, and this record-breaking donation will help fund special equipment to treat young patients, build new treatment facilities, and conduct groundbreaking, lifesaving research.”

The previous highest total for the balloon campaign was $658,565 in 2017. The 2018 fundraising campaign was conducted from June 24 through July 7.

Giant/Martin’s is one of the top 10 fundraisers in the country for CMN Hospitals, having donated more than $42 million over the past 22 years. Specific CMN Hospital projects that have benefited from this ongoing support include construction of the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as support for the construction of the new Penn State Children’s Hospital.

In addition to the annual in-store campaigns during the summer and at the holidays, Giant/Martin’s associates also regularly volunteer at CMN Hospital events, including radio and television telethons.

The following local CMN Hospitals are supported by Giant/Martin’s: Penn State Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger, Children’s National Medical Center, University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

“We are incredibly grateful to Giant/Martin’s for their support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the commitment to improve the lives of children in their communities,” said Clark Sweat, chief revenue officer of Children Miracle Network Hospitals.

“The efforts and passion demonstrated by Giant/Martin’s leadership and associates is evident in their fundraising growth year over year. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful partnership for the past 22 years.”

CMN Hospitals, the alliance of premier hospitals for children, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals across North America.