Children’s Miracle Network raised a record-breaking $3,408,112 for Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital in 2012-13. The total was announced during the 29th annual Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, which aired this past weekend on WGAL-TV8. WGAL-TV8 anchors and reporters hosted the 15-hour telethon from the WITF Public Media Center in Harrisburg. Last year’s total was $3.29 million.

The $3.4 million represents a year-long fundraising effort by thousands of individuals and more than 135 corporate and community partners. The total also includes $225,000 in pledges that were made by phone and online during the telethon. The $225,000 will support the Child Life program at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which provides patients and their families with developmental, emotional and social support. Since 1984, Children’s Miracle Network has raised more than $47 million to benefit Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

“We are very grateful for the community’s continued support of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network,” said Dr. Craig Hillemeier, chairman of pediatrics and medical director, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. “Thanks to many individuals and corporate partners, we are able to provide world-class care to our patients and their families in a new, free-standing, state-of-the art Children’s Hospital. On behalf of our patients, their families and our medical staff, thank you.”

Top corporate donors for the year included GIANT Food Stores, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Rite Aid, Cumulus Media Inc., employees of The Hershey Co., employees of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, and employees of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine.