News & Reporter
Food Lion announced this week the success of its fall carnival held Sept. 15 to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. Store Manager Ronnie Catledge said he was proud to announce that the community generously gave their support to help the store raise a total of $2,055. The Food Lion managers and employees had a personal goal to raise $2,000 for the fundraiser and far surpassed that goal. The carnival type fundraiser held in the store’s parking lot included food, music and games.
“It was a big turnout,” Catledge said. “It was the first year we ever did it like this and customers came in and said it was a great thing we did.” Food Lion participates in numerous events for organizations such as The Children’s Miracle Network to offer support to their local communities. The Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children’s health issues. The organization was founded in 1983 by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in our immediate area include Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. and Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia.
“Every year, someone from the store is invited to take a tour of the hospital,” Catledge said. “When you see what that money does, you have a bigger attitude to help.”
Catledge said he was grateful to everyone who gave monetary gifts of any amount but wanted to give special thanks to three patrons, Lester Johnson, Kay Armstrong and Billy Bundy, for their particular contributions. “We thank the community for their support because we came in third out of 13 stores in our Greenville District,” Catledge said. “I want to thank everyone for what they gave.”