Wal-Mart Re-Launches Online Tool to Support Our Servicemen and Servicewomen this Holiday Season
BENTONVILLE, ARK, Dec. 19, 2005–During this holiday season, Americans are reminded of the sacrifices our troops make throughout the year to protect both our nation and the world. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has announced the re-launch of messaging centers throughout its Wal-Mart stores and Supercenters to help establish direct communication between loved ones and friends at home and our troops abroad who continue to honorably serve during this difficult time.
While Wal-Mart provides support for our troops throughout the year from donating bottled water to creating “Walls of Honor” for Veterans’ Day in stores, this online mechanism has been specifically designed to establish a personal link to our troops while they are away this holiday season. Wal-Mart customers and associates will be able to choose from a variety of heartwarming and supportive messages to send to our troops from mid-December through January 1 by logging onto the dedicated site in all Wal-Mart stores across the nation. This program will also be available after the holidays to allow for communication throughout the year. The messages will then be available to troops to read through “Operation Dear Abby.”
“As millions of Americans are spending the holiday season with their loved ones, we want to reinforce our commitment to our troops who have been serving to protect freedom at home and overseas,” said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president corporate affairs and executive director of the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation. “By providing a direct channel of communication between the American public and our troops, we hope that the servicemen and servicewomen of our country will be encouraged by these messages of pride and appreciation.”
This effort is part of our commitment to honor the men and women who defend our freedom everyday. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart joined forces with the Department of Defense’s America Supports You program, a nationwide campaign that highlights military support and encourages others to share their gratitude for the troops.
Wal-Mart will also be announcing other military-related initiatives throughout this holiday season. More information about the online messaging tool or other Foundation programs can be found at www.walmartfacts.com or www.walmartfacts.com or www.walmartfoundation.org
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s 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.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
###