BENTONVILLE, Ark., September 29, 2008 – Walmart announced today a donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief for Haitians that have been impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The hurricanes roared through Haiti in late August and early September, killing hundreds of people and damaging and destroying thousands of homes.
“Because we touch communities throughout the Americas, we can help people in times of need in so many ways,” said Craig Herkert, President and CEO of the Americas for Walmart.
Beyond the corporate donation, Walmart Puerto Rico made a $7,000 donation to the Red Cross and a $3,000 donation to the Caribbean Haitian Committee for the hurricane victims. Also, several of our Walmart stores in Florida held supply drives last week to collect some much-needed hurricane relief supplies for hurricane victims.
“Walmart is committed to helping these devastated communities,” said Joaquin Gonzalez Varela, Walmart’s Regional Vice President. “We know many of our Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, especially in Florida, have family and friends in these areas.”
Walmart has long been recognized as a corporate leader in the area of disaster relief. Responding to the impact of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in Louisiana and Texas, Walmart recently committed $2.5 million to assist with relief efforts. The company in 2005 helped the victims of Hurricane Katrina by donating more than $32 million in cash to aid emergency relief efforts. Earlier this year, Walmart donated $3 million for disaster relief and reconstruction following the earthquakes in China.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Walmart operates Walmart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom and, through a joint venture, in India. The Company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
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