Mozingo honored for volunteer efforts by Children's Miracle Network
By Steve Herring
Published in News on February 7, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Vicki Mozingo, third from left, has been recognized by Walmart and Sam's Club and the Children's Miracle Network for raising $62,430 on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network over the past six years. From left are Keiana Reid and Ashley Cleveland Brown, assistant managers at Sam's Club, Mrs. Mozingo, and Larry Frankart, assistant manager.
People, including children, just walk up and hand money to Vicki Mozingo -- at her job at Sam's Club, in the parking lot, in restaurants and even once at a funeral visitation.
A Sam's Club customer walked up and handed her several dollars Friday morning as she was being recognized for single-handedly raising $62,430 on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network over the past six years.
The friendly and talkative Mrs. Mozingo is a familiar sight as people enter Sam's Club -- a dollar bill and Children's Miracle Network pin always pinned to her blue work vest signifying she collects for the nonprofit organization.
"What we have done through Sam's Club is give Vicki Mozingo a certificate for what she has been doing all these past years," co-worker Don Johnstone said. "She has raised in excess of $62,000 and every dollar has gone to CMN.
"Children's Miracle Network was (company founder) Sam Walton's choice of charity. Last year Walmart Inc., which includes Sam's Club, raised in excess of 5 and a half million dollars that went to various children's hospitals across the United States."
The certificate is from Walmart and Sam's Club and the Children's Miracle Network.
Mrs. Mozingo said she was honored, but gave credit for her success to Sam's Club customers and co-workers.
"I am very grateful to receive this awesome award," she said. "I feel very grateful. I look at it as a ministry and a blessing. I do it all year round. Normally we (club) do it in May and June, but I do it all year round. I chose to do it because I said if I had a child, I would be glad if someone helped mine -- give them life and give them the opportunity of health that they need.
"So, I have always enjoyed people, enjoyed children and even have children come up and give me money. I look at it as an awesome endeavor to make a difference. I have realized that a person can make a difference, but I didn't know it until I started doing this."
Mrs. Mozingo said when she first started she would have never imagined raising more than $62,000 over six years -- an average of $10,000 a year.
"She doesn't have to ask (for donations)," Johnstone said. "It is just by her pleasant personality and her smile that this has helped us to do that. They see her, see where that dollar bill is pinned on her vest. They come in looking for her with whatever they have. Like I said, it could be change, it could be a dollar bill, it could be 5 or 100 dollars -- 100 percent goes to the Children's Miracle Network."
Mrs. Mozingo said she thinks a person's personality contributes to success in raising the money.
It is about being truthful and honest and being yourself and letting people know just how heartfelt you are when you do it, she said
"It is a compassion that you have and over these six years, they see that you are genuine and honest," she said. "I just thank the Lord they can look at me and know that I am honest and that no matter what is given and no matter what the amount is, I say it is the intent of the heart in which a person gives it.
"It is not always the big amount, but we are grateful for the amounts that we do receive. But I said it all adds up at the end of the week, the end of the month and the end of the year."
The money stays at Duke Hospital, Mrs. Mozingo said.
"As the time goes by, it amounts to the amount I just stated," Mrs. Mozingo said. "I never thought it would amount to $62,430 as of today. I am very grateful and honored to do it for children that need help and to be a blessing to other people who have children who need the help and have gotten the help.
"As a matter of fact, I have had some come through who still go and let me know they are still going and have gotten the help at Duke. So I am grateful that we at our club have made a difference in their lives."
According to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' webpage, the hospitals have raised more than $5 billion -- most of it $1 at a time -- for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada since 1983.
Also according to the website, the donations support research and training, purchase equipment and pay for uncompensated care, all to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.