Everyone is a champion at Walmart's Kids Fair

KELLOGG — It was a fun day at the Kellogg City Park for folks who got involved in Walmart’s Kids Fair.

The fair on Sunday, June 23 was the culmination of efforts from many local Walmart employees, as well as some local businesses who donated to the cause as well.

Despite a mixed bag of uncommonly cold June weather, the event had a steady stream of attendees and even got some help from the Silver Mountain crowd.

The fair was part of Walmart’s ongoing fundraising efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network, with the funds raised going to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Spokane.

Each year, Walmart’s corporate headquarters determines a 30-day period where they encourage their stores to “think outside the box” in terms of how they raise funds for CMN.

“We were holding a meeting, all of the ideas I was hearing really sounded like a fair,” said Holly Armijo, event planner and Children’s Miracle Network champion. “We had face painting, balloon darts, lots of other carnival games, a basketball game, but the cake walk was definitely our biggest event. We gave away like 10 or 11 big cakes, as well as other items, but it definitely was the most popular.”

The almost impromptu event had only a short time’s worth of planning, but still managed to raise nearly $700 that will be donated to CMN, but Walmart isn’t done yet.

“This event went really well for us,” Armijo said. “But we are still going to be doing some other in-store events, including more games and cake walks to raise money throughout the month.”

As mentioned, Armijo is a Children’s Miracle Network Champion, which means she interacts as an ambassador between her specific Walmart store and the CMN.

Smelterville Walmart would like to thank local businesses Lifeline Espresso, Wildcat Pizza, Pizza Palace, Wallace Harvest Foods, Franz, and Oro Wheat for donating to the Kids Fair.