BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced today that it will donate $2 million over a two-day period of store openings. These donations will mark a historic record in the number and amount of grants given in one grand opening month in the company’s history. The donations will reach across 30 states, and will have a positive impact on thousands of people and hundreds of charitable organizations, including military families, local schools needing supplies, fire and police departments, and programs assisting seniors.
“At Wal-Mart, we go to work every day to help make a difference by creating economic opportunity and benefits in the communities we serve,” said Ray Bracy, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations, Wal- Mart Stores, Inc. “The partnerships we build in the areas around our stores are an extension of our efforts to build a better future for all the communities where we operate.”
With 70 new stores expanding to Supercenters or opening in new markets in January, many communities will feel the impact this month from the added contributions of charitable giving, new jobs and sales tax revenues. These stores also will support local suppliers and growers in each state in their daily operations.
“Beyond grand opening celebrations, we provide grants to organizations throughout the entire year, so this is just the beginning for these communities,” added Bracy. “Last year Wal-Mart was recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as America’s largest corporate cash contributor, contributing more than $245 million to charitable organizations in the communities where we operate. We are proud to be a ‘store of the community’ for all of the communities that we serve.”
Snapshots of contributions include:* In Mesa, Arizona, an $8,000 donation to the Leander Independent School
District will help build a playground at one of the fast-growing
school district’s new campuses.* The new Supercenter in Black River Falls, Wisconsin will provide
$17,000 in community grants upon opening to celebrate its support for
helping organizations that positively benefit its store neighborhood.
“Operation Homefront,” a non-profit organization dedicated to
providing assistance to military families, is one of the organizations
receiving a $5,000 grant.* Three new stores in Federal Way, Lakewood, and Puyallup in the state
of Washington will provide $39,000 to the 1st Special Forces Airborne
Division (“First in Asia”) which gives financial and material support
through scholarships and emergency relief to honor these soldiers and
families.* In Las Vegas, associates in the new Supercenter will announce $37,500
in donations to seven different civic and charitable organizations.* The management team at the Topeka, Kansas store will announce a grant
of $5,000 that will go toward the Seaman School District’s efforts to
buy a bookmobile to improve reading literacy in the area.* The new Richmond, VA Supercenter is giving $37,500 to area charitable
organizations. A $10,000 grant will be presented to the Crippled
Children’s Hospital to help fund a special section where children with
eating difficulties learn to eat.About Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $245 million to local United States communities. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/ , http://www.walmart.com/ , or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/ .
