The Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) has been one of Walmart’s primary charities since company founder Sam Walton partnered with the organization in 1987.
Each year, Walmart stores everywhere conduct fundraising efforts for CMN, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising money for children’s hospitals across North America. Three members of management at the Houston Walmart Supercenter recently did a little extra for CMN during this year’s six-week fundraising period – and sacrificed a lot in the process.
Store manager Travis Rector, optometrist Dr. Rodney Knuckles and support manager Roman Gaston all accepted the “hair loss challenge” and agreed to have their heads shaved if $3,000 was raised for CMN during a specified three-week stretch. The challenge’s rules stated that Gaston’s head (along with his beard and mustache) would be shaved if $1,000 was raised, Knuckles’ hair would go away if the $2,000 mark was surpassed and Rector would become temporarily bald if the goal was reached.
On Tuesday of last week (June 16), all three had their heads shaved by Houston barber Bobby Amburn, who volunteered his services for the cause. The buzz-cuts took place inside the store with a sizable crowd looking on.
After Amburn took care of Gaston and Knuckles and Rector sat down for his turn, a Walmart associate rolled out a surprise, indicating that anyone who donated $5 on the spot would have the privilege of taking a swipe at the manager’s hair with Amburn’s electric cutting unit. Many $5 bills were subsequently collected, and Rector’s cut was carried out “by committee.”
Aimee Swisshelm, director of sponsor relations for CMN Hospitals of Cox Health in Springfield, was on hand to witness the event, and even bought the chance to take a few swipes at Rector’s hair.
“I would really like to thank everyone who donated money to make this event possible,” Swisshelm said. “And I would like to extend a special thanks to these three brave men who sacrificed so much for such a great cause.”
Houston Police Department Chief Jim McNiell helped organize the challenge (that was the brainchild of Gaston). He also paid for the opportunity to buzz some of Rector’s hair.
“When I signed on for this job five years ago, I never thought I would be cutting hair,” McNiell said. “But really, these three men should be commended for their willingness to do what they’re doing here today, and for supporting an organization that does so much for the benefit of children.”
Over the years, Walmart has raised more than $750 million for CMN. The Houston store last year raised about $7,500 for the organization, and this year is on pace to beat that through the hair challenge and several other methods.
To view a photo gallery from the CMN “hair loss challenge” finale, click here:
http://houstonherald.smugmug.com/Hair-Loss-Challenge/
To watch a video from the challenge finale, click here:
http://hhtesting.newspackstaging.com/multimedia/video/video-walmart-leaders-shave-heads-for-hair-loss-challenge-fundraiser/youtube_bb978ade-15ce-11e5-b13a-bf48a27fbae8.html