Walmart 2000 Annual Report Download - page 18

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zIn Thunder Bay, Ontario, a Wal-
Mart store manager shaves his head
to raise money for an elementary
school. In Shenzhen, China,
Associates bring gifts and cheer
to the elderly during the
Chinese New Year. And in
Little Rock, Arkansas, the
Company donates $1.8
million to help Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
It all happened in fiscal
2000, but it could have
been any year in the
community-centered
heart of Wal-Mart. The
Company was ranked as
the number-one good cor-
porate citizen by the 1999
Cone/Roper Report. In an
effort to improve the quality
of life in all of its store commu-
nities, Wal-Mart raised and
contributed $163.8 million to
charitable causes in fiscal 2000
and participated in a wide range
of volunteer programs, many of
them dedicated to helping children.
Eyes on the Future
For example, more than 13,000 kids
got a helping hand last year from
Project Insight, a program created
by the Associates of the 680
Wal-Mart Vision Centers worldwide.
In its seventh year, the program
pairs each Vision Center with a local
elementary school, orphanage or
shelter that serves underprivileged
children. Each child in the program
receives a thorough eye exam
and a perfectly fitted pair of glasses
from their friends
at Wal-Mart.
“It makes a big difference for the
kids,” says Stephanie Morris, a
licensed optician with Wal-Mart
Vision Centers. “You feel really
proud when they walk out with
their shiny new glasses.”
Wal-Mart also sponsors a vast net-
work of elementary and secondary
schools through its Adopt A School
program. And in October, 1999,
the Company brought Canada into
the program, adding one-year
sponsorships for 166
Canadian schools —
one school for every
Wal-Mart store
in the country.
These stores
provide their adopted
schools with merchandise dona-
tions, in-store fundraising events
and volunteers for special school
projects. At some Canadian stores,
Associates have even started break-
fast clubs to feed students who can’t
eat at home before they start the
school day.
“Working one-by-one on projects in
their communities, Wal-Mart
Associates are probably the largest
charitable fundraising force in
Canada,” says Dave Ferguson,
President and Chief Executive
Officer of Wal-Mart Canada.
Good.Works.
Good.Works.
From Free Eyeglasses to School Breakfast Programs,
Wal-Mart Cherishes Role as Community Partner
A young girl shows off a new pair of glasses
provided through Operation Insight.