Beginning March 8, Rite Aid’s 2015 Miracle Balloon campaign will be underway for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a leading nonprofit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals to provide pediatric equipment, treatments, research, therapy programs and charitable care benefiting local sick and injured kids. Since becoming a sponsor in 1994, Rite Aid has raised nearly $70 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including $6.3 million in 2014. Rite Aid is the organization’s sixth largest corporate partner.

Beginning March 8 through April 25, Rite Aid associates and customers can give the gift of a miracle by purchasing $1 paper Miracle Balloons, which will be proudly displayed in stores throughout the campaign. To show appreciation, supporters will receive $7 in coupon offers for a variety of items sold at Rite Aid.

“Rite Aid’s annual campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is just one of the many ways our associates bring our core value of being a caring neighbor to life,” said Ken Martindale, Rite Aid president, chief operating officer and president of The Rite Aid Foundation. “Our associates have such a passion for supporting their local children’s hospitals and I know through their efforts this year, they will make even more miracles happen.”

Throughout the seven-week campaign, Rite Aid associates plan and host fundraisers to help raise additional funds including countless golf tournaments, car washes, bake sales and other special events throughout their communities. Members of Rite Aid’s management team also dedicate a day each summer to washing cars and participating in carnival-themed games outside the company’s headquarters in Camp Hill, Pa.

“We are excited to be celebrating the start of another campaign with our long-time partner, Rite Aid,” said John Lauck, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals president and CEO. “We are so grateful for the support we receive each year, including $6.3 million in 2014, the 20th anniversary of our partnership. Each dollar Rite Aid customers, associates and supplier partners raise truly goes a long way in helping create miracles for sick and injured children.”

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.