Flying High to Help Area CMN Hospitals

By From the Archives

Published: July 18, 2008

A Johnson City Wal-Mart is offering hot air balloon rides to raise money for the Children’s Miracle network Friday morning. The Wal-Mart store #1080 on Browns Mill Road is hosting high-flying fun all morning long.

They are offering tethered balloon rides in CMN’s Care Force One hot-air balloon. It’s an effort to raise money for the local CMN hospitals and medical centers around the Tri.

The Care Force One balloon travels the country to promote awareness about the network. Pilot Jon Thompson will take the balloon to Fun Fest in Kingsport Friday afternoon. Balloon Glow kicks off at 8:30 pm on Fort Henry Drive.

Saturday, July 19th is “Breakfast with the Balloons” from 6:30 a.m. to 9a.m. at memorial park
A morning balloon rally will begin at 7a.m. Saturday on Fort Henry Drive.

The evening balloon rally will take place Saturday night at 6:30 pm on Fort Henry Drive and Indian Highland Park.

Wal-Mart store #1080 employee Jackie Vines says they hope to collect enough funds today to remain the top CMN Wal-Mart donators around the Tri-Cities.

CMN is a non-profit alliance of 270 hospitals and health care system that treat children across the country.
The key is keeping it local. Donations stay in the community where they originate.

According the Wellmont Foundation, 11,000 people across the Tri-Cities have donated seven million dollars to the Children’s Miracle Network since 1987.
Your Tri-Cities News Source hosted a televised telethon May 31st. The telethon raised $52, 748 in telephone and online pledges. Regional corporations donated $498,141 toward the $550,889 raised so far in 2008.