Montana Ace Hardware raises $21,527 for Shodair in Miracle Bucket Days

Montana Ace Hardware stores raised $21,527.46 for Shodair Children’s Hospital during this year’s Miracle Bucket Days, with standout moments at Owenhouse Ace Hardware in Helena that spotlighted Children’s Miracle Network Champion Child Luke. The campaign combined bucket sales, creative displays and customer donations to support Montana children and families.

Why it matters: - The $21,527.46 total helps fund care for children and families served by Shodair Children’s Hospital, Montana’s Children’s Miracle Network hospital. - The campaign also showed how local retail events can turn customer participation into direct support for pediatric care across Montana.

What happened: - Montana Ace Hardware teams raised $21,527.46 during this year’s Miracle Bucket Days. - The total exceeded 2025’s result, marking a stronger showing for the statewide campaign. - Owenhouse Ace Hardware in Helena created a giant snowy owl display in honor of Luke, Montana’s 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Champion Child, and his favorite stuffed animal. - Luke visited the store during Miracle Bucket Days, saw the display made for him and helped sell Miracle Buckets to customers. - Shoppers also interacted with Luke as he encouraged support for Montana kids.

The details: - A customer who bought a Miracle Bucket from Luke shared that the customer had brought two dogs, and Luke’s reaction to seeing them became an emotional moment for the shopper. - Luke’s mom, Jennifer, said, “Seeing Luke interact with customers and watching the community rally around him was incredibly special.” - Jennifer also said the snowy owl display was a tribute to Luke, but the bigger moment was seeing people connect with him and understand the impact their support can have. - As part of the Bucket Days contest, Owenhouse Ace West led Montana with 809 Miracle Buckets sold from August 7–9. - Florence Ace was recognized for its creative display. - Owenhouse Downtown earned recognition for its interactive customer experience. - Hamilton Ace received an honorable mention for its creative bucket design. - Montana Ace teams raised more than $21,000 for children and families receiving care at Shodair. - Shodair thanked Ace Hardware locations, associates, customers and supporters for participating. - Round-Up remains available at the register year-round for customers who want to keep supporting Shodair and Montana children. - More information is available on Shodair’s website.

Between the lines: - The campaign leaned on emotion and local storytelling, not just donations, to connect shoppers with the children behind the fundraising. - The snowy owl display and Luke’s presence turned a standard retail fundraiser into a personal community moment. - The year-round Round-Up option gives the campaign a longer tail beyond Bucket Days.

What's next: - Ace customers can continue donating through Round-Up at the register throughout the year. - Shodair will keep using community fundraising to support pediatric mental health care, residential services, outpatient care and medical genetics services. - Future Miracle Bucket Days campaigns may build on this year’s sales momentum and store-level creativity.

The bottom line: - Montana’s Ace Hardware stores turned a short campaign into a statewide show of support, with Luke’s snowy owl tribute giving the fundraising drive a personal face and a memorable finish.