Walmart Donates $600,000 in Response to Haiti Earthquake
14 January 2010 - 9:03AM
PR Newswire (US)
Company and its domestic and international Foundations to support
emergency relief efforts BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 13
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the tragic earthquake in
Haiti, Walmart operations around the world and the Walmart
Foundation today announced a $500,000 monetary donation to Red
Cross emergency relief efforts in Haiti. The company is also
sending pre-packaged food kits valued at $100,000 to Haiti at the
request of the Red Cross. An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck
southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, on Tuesday
afternoon, devastating the city and leaving thousands dead. "At
Walmart, helping communities is what we do every day around the
world, especially in times of need," said Doug McMillon, president
and CEO, Walmart International. "Many of the markets where we
operate in the Americas' region are launching support campaigns,
and we will continue to look for opportunities to provide much
needed relief." The Walmart Foundation has also launched a web
page, http://www.walmartstores.com/haiti through which customers
and associates can make donations to nonprofits that are also
supporting relief efforts in Haiti. "Our thoughts are with everyone
who has been impacted by the devastation in Haiti, including the
hundreds of thousands of Haitians who are our customers and our
associates in the U.S. and abroad," said Margaret McKenna,
president of the Walmart Foundation. "We will continue to monitor
the situation and look for additional ways that we can assist in
the relief efforts." "The American Red Cross is rushing supplies
and disaster management staff to Haiti in the aftermath of this
earthquake, and we are grateful for the generous contributions of
Walmart, its associates and its customers," said Gail McGovern,
president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Walmart has been
there to help save the day for people during their time of need
both in the U.S. and across the world, supporting the work of the
American Red Cross to bring help and hope during emergencies." In
September 2008, Walmart donated more than $100,000 to support
disaster relief for Haitians that were impacted by Hurricanes
Gustav and Ike, which killed hundreds of people and damaged and
destroyed thousands of homes. About Philanthropy at Walmart Walmart
and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable
causes that are important to customers and associates in their own
neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships,
the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating
opportunities in education, workforce development, economic
opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness.
From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart - and its
domestic and international foundations - gave more than $423
million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit
http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090914/WALMARTLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Walmart International
CONTACT: Jami Lamontagne of Walmart, +1-479-273-4314 Web Site:
http://www.walmart.com/
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