Wal-Mart joins Unilever - sponsors the Fourth Annual National Parks America Tour, helping National Parks with Volunteer Power
Bentonville, Ark., March 14, 2005 - For the fourth consecutive year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has joined Unilever, the longest-standing corporate partner of the National Park Foundation and a Proud Partner of America’s National Parks and Take Pride in America in supporting the National Parks America Tour.
The National Parks America Tour is a volunteer-driven initiative designed to provide National Parks with additional staff to complete important projects and engage communities in the National Parks experience. This year with 26 events the Tour will enable Wal-Mart volunteers and communities to supplement National Parks park resources. The result is an in-kind manpower donation of over 100,000 volunteer hours valued at $ 1.7 million dollars.
Wal-Mart is committed to community stewardship and service. The National Parks America Tour service-to-the-land activities enable volunteers to earn service credits while giving something back to America’s treasures – its 388 National Parks.
This year the National Parks America Tour hosts 26 events across the country beginning in March and continuing through November. Volunteers across the country can join Wal-Mart Associates at a National Park near them.
2005 National Parks America Tour Schedule
| Phoenix Mountain Preserve Phoenix, AZ | March 5, 2005 |
| Channel Islands National Park Ventura, CA | March 5, 2005 |
| San Antonio Missions National Historical Park San Antonio, TX | March 12, 2005 |
| Joshua Tree National Park Twentynine Palms, CA | April 9, 2005 |
| San Bernardino National Forest Idyllwild, CA | April 9, 2005 |
| Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle, Wupatki, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon NMs and Hubbell Trading Post NHS, Northern Arizona | April 30, 2005 |
| Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty NM New Jersey/New York | May 7, 2005 |
| Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site Cornish, NH | May 7, 2005 |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg, TN | May 14, 2005 |
| Padre Island National Seashore Corpus Christi, TX | May 21, 2005 |
| Saratoga National Historical Park Stillwater, NY | June 11, 2005 |
| Mount Rainier National Park Ashford, WA | September 17, 2005 |
| Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Atlanta, GA | September 24, 2005 |
| Fort McHenry NM & HS Baltimore, MD | September 24, 2005 |
| Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon, AZ | October 1, 2005 |
| Lake Mead National Recreation Area Boulder City, NV | October 15, 2005 |
| Cabrillo National Monument San Diego, CA | October 22, 2005 |
| Gulf Islands National Seashore Mississippi and Florida | October 22, 2005 |
| Pea Ridge National Military Park Pea Ridge, AR | October 29, 2005 |
| Lincoln Home National Historic Site Springfield, IL | November 5, 2005 |
| Biscayne National Park Homestead, FL | November 19, 2005 |
About Unilever
Unilever [NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world’s largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.
In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, “all,” Ben & Jerrys, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Eternity by Calvin Klein, Hellmanns, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of Unilever. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs more than 15,000 people in 74 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico – generating approximately $10 billion in sales in 2004. For more information visit www.unilever.com.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAMS CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The companys securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), chartered by Congress in 1967, is the official non-profit partner of America’s national parks. The National Park Foundation strengthens the enduring connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Over the past seven years alone, the Foundation has contributed more than $135 million in total grants and program support to national parks across the country.
About the National Park Service "VIP" Program
The National Park Services Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program has grown over the years to reflect the dedication of people to their national parks. VIPs range in age from young children to senior citizens. They come from all over the United States, and the world, bringing different backgrounds, skills, and talents that enrich our park programs. Volunteers-In-Parks are Very Important People, visit www.nps.gov/volunteer to learn more about becoming a VIP today!
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