Lompoc Walmart grants wish for teen with Muscular Dystrophy

Thirteen-year-old Martin Mendez of Lompoc was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy three years ago.

Saturday the Lompoc Walmart granted his biggest wish through its Have a Heart program.
Martin was an honorary truck driver for the day.
He also received a washer and dryer for his family, a treadmill for his physical therapy and some signed apparel from his favorite Mexican soccer team.
However is favorite gifts were a keyboard and microphone, things he plans to use to inspire others.
Saturday was a big day for the 13 year old.
"It means a lot because they made my wish come true that I wanted a piano, to sing," Mendez said.
The Lompoc Valley Middle Schooler says he will use the gifts to make music for his family and spread his message of hope.
"I wanted to let all the kids know that they should not act different," Mendez said, "they should be the way they are."
Dozens of people from all over Santa Barbara County packed the parking lot to show their support.
There was plenty of singing and even some dancing, courtesy of Martin's classmates.
The turnout was overwhelming for the entire Mendez family, his father's heartfelt thanks brought the teenager to tears.
"He's more caring about his family needs more than himself," said Leona Echeverria, who works at the Lompoc Walmart, "it took me a lot to get what he needs himself."
After a few words from the mayor it was time for a ride around town in the Walmart big rig.
With the help of some Walmart Heart drivers, Martin was seated and ready to go.
A special day for a special teen, a young man who has already touched so many lives.
"I t doesn't matter if you have Muscular Dystrophy," the teenager said, "you can do whatever you want."
The event included a barbeque fundraiser which raised thousands of dollars to help the family with medical bills.
This is not the first time the Walmart Heart program has touched lives on the Central Coast.
Back in January it helped send a 3-year-old Santa Maria girl, and her family, to Disneyland.
MSNBC

Dickinson WalMart donates $25,000 to Business Challenge

Dickinson WalMart donated $25,000 to Business Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 14 during a gift presentation ceremony at the Dickinson State University (DSU) Alumni and Foundation House.

Business Challenge will take place on the DSU campus and in historic Medora from June 21-26 (student track) and June 21-24 (educator track). This week-long camp teaches participants about entrepreneurship and the fundamentals of business. Students and educators are teamed with successful business leaders and learn first-hand from their expertise. Participants also create and run a mock business while getting a taste of college life, developing friendships and having fun.

“We are humbled by Wal-Mart’s generosity and support of the program, which will allow students to get this phenomenal business experience. This gift from WalMart is helping Business Challenge to show educators the importance of business in everyday life and how they can incorporate that into any grade level or subject matter to inspire their students. Additionally, they are helping to ignite the spark of entrepreneurship in our students and show them how they can achieve their dreams right here in North Dakota, which is the ultimate goal of Business Challenge,” said Katie Mehrer, Business Challenge coordinator.

The donation is part of WalMart’s State Giving Program. Last year WalMart stores across the state gave between $30,000 and $70,000 to their individual communities, focusing on supporting programs and initiatives that have a strong impact within the community.

“Business Challenge is one of those programs,” said Kristi Schwartz, general manager of Dickinson WalMart. “It benefits bright young students from around our state and helps them grow into productive young adults, many of whom stay in North Dakota after graduating.”

DICKINSONSTATEDIGEST

Walmart Steps Up Efforts to Help Americans Manage Their Finances With $3 Rollback Price on Key Money Service

With more and more families facing financial challenges, Walmart today is stepping up efforts to provide affordable access to essential money services for the growing number of underserved Americans, including the millions who are not using traditional checking accounts to manage their finances. Dubbed "Operation Main Street: Money Management," the program includes a $3 Rollback price on the Walmart MoneyCard and a focus on financial literacy.

Combined, Walmart expects this effort - and its everyday low prices on money services like check cashing, bill payment and money transfers - to help consumers stretch family budgets and save more than $500 million* in money service fees this year.

"Now more than ever, our customers continue to trust Walmart to do what we do best - save them money on the products and services they need everyday," said Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "Financial issues are the number one concern for our customers, and accelerating our efforts to provide affordable financial services will help them live better."

Even More Affordable Money Services

Beginning today, Walmart will offer the Walmart MoneyCard, a reloadable, pre-paid Visa debit card, for only $3. The new $3 purchase price will provide the more than 35 million** American families underserved by traditional financial institutions many of the advantages of a checking account, including depositing their paychecks on a safe and secure card, checking their balances, paying bills and shopping anywhere Visa debit is accepted. The Walmart MoneyCard is now expected to save customers $50 million annually compared to similar cards. In addition, the card has no overdraft fees.

"Customers who use the Walmart MoneyCard tell us that we're making a difference in their lives and helping them get their finances under control. The reduced fees on the Walmart MoneyCard will save our customers millions of dollars," said Jane Thompson, president, Walmart Financial Services. "We will continue to lower prices on the money services that we know our customers need."

Focus on Financial Literacy

Declaring today national "Money Management Day," Walmart is working with Visa to make financial literacy tools available to customers nationwide. Available at www.walmartstores.com/moneymanagement, Visa's Practical Money Skills for Life is a comprehensive program designed to help consumers manage their money wisely.

"Today, more than ever, Americans want to stay in control of their daily finances, and reloadable prepaid cards - like the Walmart MoneyCard - can help people better manage their money and spend within their means," said Bill Sheedy, president, North America, Visa Inc. "Together, the built-in budgeting capabilities of Visa prepaid cards, Rollback pricing and easy access to our free financial management tools will be especially valuable in helping consumers."

In addition, Walmart is bringing financial experts to select stores to provide expert advice and give customers the tools they need to manage their money. Best-selling author of Girl, Get Your Money Straight!, Glinda Bridgforth, and Univision's financial expert, Julie Stav will meet with customers in Walmart MoneyCenters in Atlanta and Houston respectively, to showcase their top money management tips.

"For those living from paycheck-to-paycheck, affordable access to basic money services like check-cashing, money transfers and reloadable pre-paid debit cards can be key to getting back on track and having finances that are in order," said Bridgforth. "Walmart is setting an example and demonstrating how businesses can support - and help - Americans facing financial challenges."

Associate Support

Walmart will also begin offering its 1.4 million U.S. associates a special Associate value. Associates will receive a credit of the initial $3 purchase fee for the Walmart MoneyCard, no monthly fee, and free direct deposit reloads when they sign up for Walmart direct deposit. The company expects this new offering to make managing finances easier for associates who do not use a bank account. Walmart already waives the fee for the hundreds of thousands of paper checks it cashes for its associates every payday.

The Walmart MoneyCard Advantage

Available for customers without requiring a credit check or previous bank account, the Walmart MoneyCard is a convenient, safe alternative to carrying cash, having a checking account or charging a credit card. Because it is a pre-funded card, customers spend only what they have and cannot be hurt by unexpected overdraft or late fees. In fact, those choosing to replace their basic checking account with a Walmart MoneyCard would avoid overdraft and insufficient funds fees, which reached over $24 billion in the U.S. in 2008.**

Under the new $3 pricing structure, customers will pay a one-time cost of $3 to purchase and activate the Walmart MoneyCard, a $3 charge for reloads at Walmart, and a $3 monthly fee. Even better, many Walmart MoneyCard customers use their card in ways that minimize fees. For example:

• If customers reload with direct deposit or after cashing their paychecks at Walmart, there is no reload fee.
• If customers load at least $1,000 per month, the $3 monthly fee is waived.
• If customers access cash back at the register instead of ATM's, there is no withdrawal fee.

The Walmart MoneyCard is accepted at approximately 29 million Visa merchant locations worldwide and can be reloaded at tens of thousands of Green Dot retailer locations. In addition, the Walmart MoneyCard helps customers manage their spending with free daily cell phone or email balance alerts, free balance inquiries at Walmart stores and online transaction history at www.walmartmoneycard.com.

Expanding Community Partnerships

The Wal-Mart Foundation is also helping ensure that Walmart customers have the resources they need to become more financially fit. A recently announced $3.6 million Wal-Mart Foundation grant to United Way and One Economy, a non-profit organization that helps low-income Americans enter the economic mainstream, is funding five "Mobile Tax Center" vans visiting communities throughout the country to increase awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The grant will also fund more than 90 United Way-supported Volunteer Income Tax Assistance campaigns - all in the hopes of returning millions in EITC refunds and saving millions in tax preparation fees.

The Walmart MoneyCard is issued by GE Money Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa, U.S.A. Additional services are provided by Green Dot Corporation (GDC). For additional information on "Operation Main Street: Money Management" and the $3 Walmart MoneyCard, visit www.walmartmoneycard.com or www.walmartstores.com/moneymanagement. For information on the Wal-Mart Foundation and its work with the United Way and One Economy, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

PRNEWSWIRE

Walmart Posts $3.79 Billion Profit

Walmart reported earnings Tuesday that fell from the same period last year, but nonetheless beat expectations.

The retail giant reported a profit of $3.79 billion, a drop of 7 percent over the same period last year, in the quarter that ended Jan. 31. According to the AP, Walmart's total sales rose slightly to $109.12 billion, with same-store sales up 2.8 percent. The chain also reported double-digit gains in sales of both HDTVs and gaming systems.

Analysts had predicted a slightly smaller profit.

DEALERSCOPE

Wal-Mart Health Care Benefits Enrollment Rises, Uninsured Rate Declines

    Total associate health coverage increases to more than 94 percent

   BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores,
Inc., (NYSE: WMT) announced today that the number of associates who have
health care coverage through its benefits plans for 2009 or another source
has increased from 92.7 percent to 94.5 percent. Over 733,000 or 51.8
percent of associates - and nearly 1.2 million associates and dependants in
total - were covered by Wal-Mart's plans at the end of its annual
enrollment period.*

   The company also announced that the number of uninsured associates has
dropped by nearly 25 percent in the past year and by more than 40 percent
between 2007 and 2009. Compared to the most recently reported data by the
U.S. Census Bureau, Wal-Mart's uninsured rate of 5.5 percent is 11.3
percent lower than the uninsured rate nationwide for the U.S. employed
population (16.8 percent). The percentage of U.S. employers who offer
health benefits fell from 69 percent in 2000 to 63 percent in 2008,
according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study.

   "We're creating good jobs and providing good benefits for our
associates at all levels of the company, from part-time hourly associates
to full-time managers," said Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman of
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "So, it's gratifying that for the fifth year in a row
the number of Wal-Mart associates enrolled in the company's health care
plans has increased."

   This year, the company added more disease and illness prevention
options including its new "Life with Baby" program which helps mothers and
their babies get a healthy start on the child's life. Life with Baby
provides free, personalized counseling and advice by a professional nurse
through pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum and early childhood
development. Wal-Mart also introduced several benefits innovations,
including personalized health records (PHRs) to help associates keep track
of their medical files and make more informed health care decisions.

   "Since we began offering PHRs just a few months ago, more than 50,000
of our associates have signed up, which we believe demonstrates that
consumers are ready and willing to use technology to take control of their
own health and wellness," said Linda Dillman, executive vice president of
benefits for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We hope that our government will study
the many ways in which technology can be applied in considering health care
reform for our nation this year."

PRNEWSWIRE

Wal-Mart Plans Big Promotion for ‘Twilight’ DVD

Wal-Mart stores and the retailer’s Web site will have special Twilight areas when the DVD is released March 21, and fans of the vampire flick can start preordering their copy starting Feb. 12 at Walmart.com/twilight, the company announced.

The site features behind-the-scenes footage of the film and interactive features for fans. All 3,500 brick-and-mortar locations will have special Twilight areas with DVDs, CDs, the book series, apparel, messenger bags and totes, posters, and more.

“Obviously they’re really behind the release. They’re really behind the franchise. It’s unique for the industry,” said Steve Nickerson, president of Summit Home Entertainment. “This is kind of unusual for a DVD release. Most of the time you see this kind of thing done for a theatrical release [in terms of merchandising].

“I think the retailers are being very creative.”

More than one major retailer is expected to host midnight release parties for the film ($185 million at the domestic box office, $324 million worldwide). Best Buy and Target will have the Blu-ray Disc release exclusively, before it’s available to all retailers May 5.

Nickerson would not talk about any exclusives, including the fact that Wal-Mart would get the Blu-ray after Best Buy and Target.

He said the theatrical Web site for Twilight will change to a home video site by the end of February and will point Twilight fans to midnight release parties in their area.

“Twilight is a cultural phenomenon that has gripped both teens and adults across the country,” said Greg Hall, VP of merchandising for Wal-Mart. “From the popularity we’ve already witnessed in books and music, we believe ‘Twilighters’ will be very excited about the items and values Wal-Mart will bring together in a new in-store and online experience.”

HOMEMEDIAMAGAZINE

Levi's, Tide Pair Up at Walmart

Levi Strauss & Co. and Procter & Gamble's Tide have been helping Walmart shoppers cut costs and conserve energy while doing their laundry.
Co-branded pallet displays in Action Alley are instructing shoppers to "save energy & money" by washing Levi's' Signature denim apparel with Tide Coldwater detergent, which is formulated to fight stains and protect colors in cold water. The pallets, which merchandise Signature jeans on one side and Tide Coldwater on the other, began rolling out to Walmart stores in December. (The Levi's Signature line is also sold at Target, Kmart and Meijer.)
The display is part of a national campaign by Signature, Tide and the Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit coalition that promotes energy efficiency. The campaign provides "ways to save money and energy in 2009," according to press materials. Levi's features additional tips on reducing hot water and energy consumption during laundry on Signature's website, which declares that "up to 80% of the energy used while washing your clothes is used to heat the water."
Walmart stores have been further showcasing Tide products on endcaps stocking concentrated detergent from sub-brands Coldwater, Total Care, Tide with Downy and Tide with Febreze.

INSTOREMARKETER

Walmart Grant Donation to Boys & Girls Club

The Grant was awarded to Boys & Girls Club February 6, 2009. The Store managers which included Rita Epps, Derrick G, and Frank B. presented the check in the amount of $ 2, 600.00. The funding will be used to purchase two computers, software, network security systems, Dictionary, DVD's, Books and Arts &Crafts supplies.

THETOWNTALK.COM

YouthBuild gets $35,000 Walmart grant

YouthBuild, an alternative education program for at-risk youth in east Linn County, has received a $35,000 Walmart Foundation grant.

The grant will be administered by Housing, Employment and Learning Programs for Self-Sufficiency (HELPS), a nonprofit organization operated by Community Services Consortium, which supports Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.

The grant will provide career counseling and job development to youth participating in the YouthBuild program in Lebanon.

YouthBuild students will present information about their program to Walmart store managers and other community leaders at an appreciation luncheon at 11 a.m. Friday at the River Center, 3000 S. Santiam Highway.

Through YouthBuild, at-risk high school dropouts aged 16 to 24 work full time for six to 24 months toward their GED or high school diploma while learning skills. Participants build affordable housing for homeless and low-income people and participate in leadership development activities in their communities.

In Linn County, YouthBuild works with local Habitat for Humanity chapters in Lebanon, Albany and Sweet Home.

DEMOCRATHERALD

Wal-Mart Reports Strong Net Sales, Comparable Store Sales For Year

Wal-Mart fought through a recession in fiscal 2008 with net sales at U.S., Sam’s Club and international divisions of $398.3 billion, up 6.2 percent when compared with 52-week net sales as of Feb. 1, 2008.

Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported its sales ended Jan. 30 on Thursday morning.

Net sales exclude membership fees and other income. Net sales also include all stores.

Wal-Mart sales by division include:

• The Walmart U.S. division reported $17.96 billion in net sales for the month, up 6.1 percent from the same month a year ago.

For the year, the U.S. division had $253.9 billion in net sales, up 6.2 percent from the prior year.

• The Sam’s Club division had $3.13 billion in net sales for the month, down 0.8 percent when compared with the same month the prior year.

Sam’s Club had $46.5 billion in total sales for the year, up 5.1 percent from the prior year.

• The international division reported $6.65 billion in sales in January, down 7.3 percent when compared with January 2008, because of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

If currency exchange rates had remained the same in January as in January 2008, the international division sales would have increased 11 percent, Wal-Mart said in its sales news release.

The international division had $97.85 billion in sales for the year, up 6.6 percent from the prior year.

Wal-Mart de Mexico will report its sales later today.

Wal-Mart also reported strong increases for same-store sales, which measure sales at stores open at least a year or longer, the standard in retail.

Sales at stores open less than a year are a less reliable indicator, as customers might shop a new store heavily out of curiosity or for the novelty factor.

Sales at Walmart U.S. stores open at least a year were up 2.7 percent in the 52 weeks ended Jan. 30. That figure remained the same whether fuel sales were included or excluded.

Sales of groceries, health and wellness items, home decor, entertainment and hardlines were strong, Walmart said in a news release.

Sales at Sam’s Club stores open at least a year were up 3.1 percent for the year excluding fuel sales and up 4.3 percent for the year when fuel sales were included.

Shares of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) traded at $48.54 as of 11:52 a.m. Thursday, up $2.12, or 4.57 percent. The share price in the past 52 weeks ranged from a $63.85 high to a $46.25 low, set Monday.

THEMORNINGNEWS

Wal-Mart Honors the Contributions of African Americans to the Nation During Black History Month and Beyond

History is made each day and African Americans continue to contribute to our country's rich legacy. During Black History Month, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. encourages its associates and customers to celebrate black history every day. The company reminds Walmart customers that "Every day is a good day to learn black history" through a series of radio and television ads, along with in-store and online educational material designed to promote awareness of black history.
"This year's Black History Month theme encourages our associates and customers to honor the positive impact African Americans have made throughout our nation's history," said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs. "Our company continues to be committed to the communities it serves through education, opportunity and celebration, and our campaign to celebrate black history throughout the year is perfectly aligned with this commitment. We proudly engage in initiatives to celebrate black history and we encourage our customers to join us in making this a year-round observance."

Wal-Mart proudly engages in year-round cultural initiatives. As an employer of choice for more than 251,000 African-American associates, Wal-Mart's commitment to the African-American community extends to a variety of partnerships and corporate programs reaching customers where they live. Some major initiatives include:
-Walmart announced its commitment to serve as the presenting sponsor of Tavis Smiley's America I AM: The African American Imprint, a mobile and museum exhibit that celebrates the imprint African Americans have had on nearly 500 years of American history. The mobile exhibit visited more than 40 communities and events throughout the country in 2008 as it made its way to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for the unveiling of a 15,000 sq. ft. museum exhibit. The museum exhibit will travel to major cities across the country until 2012.
In 2008, the Wal-Mart Foundation provided a $12.5 million letter of credit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., which will allow the foundation to begin construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.
-In 2008, Wal-Mart associates and the Wal-Mart Foundation, contributed more than $300,000 in charitable donations to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). These contributions were in addition to the $1 million grant by the Wal-Mart Foundation to support the UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building Fiscal and Strategic Technical Assistance Program (FASTAP). The program helps Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) strengthen their operations

PRNEWSWIRE

Wal-Mart Foundation Donates $5.7 Million to Support the Creation of Green Jobs in the U.S.

The Wal-Mart Foundation announced today that it will award to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Veterans Green Jobs grants totaling $5.7 million to support the creation of green jobs in the U.S. Today's announcement comes on the heels of a newly released Global Insight study revealing that 10 percent of job growth in the U.S. is likely to be green by 2038, the fastest growing sector in the country.

"We understand how important building a green workforce is to the future of America, and the Wal-Mart Foundation is committed to helping create job growth that also sustains our environment," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "Realizing that one of the greatest barriers to creating green jobs is the lack of a trained workforce, the Wal-Mart Foundation's grants will help break through this barrier and enable more American workers to be trained and ready to contribute in this growing sector."

The Wal-Mart Foundation's $5 million grant to the U.S. Conference of Mayors will work to create jobs in an array of emerging green industries. In the spring of 2009, through a competitive selection process led by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, six grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations that have a history of working with mayors to train people for green jobs. In early 2010, three additional grants will be given to cities with newer commitments to providing green workforce training.

Additionally, the Wal-Mart Foundation is awarding nearly $750,000 to Veterans Green Jobs to support the development of four training sites which will help veterans develop green job training skills. The training sites - which will be built in Washington, Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana - will assist many of the nearly two million returned or returning military personnel facing the challenging task of reintegrating into civilian life.

"This generous grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation is enabling us to continue building a green workforce in cities nationwide," said Manny Diaz, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and mayor of Miami. "Given that 85 percent of all green jobs are expected to be located in cities and their metro areas in the coming years, this grant could not come at a better time."

"Veterans Green Jobs empowers vets to become leaders in the restoration of America's environment, economy and communities. We provide them with the finest education and training opportunities in fast-growing green jobs sectors," said Brett KenCairn, executive director of Veterans Green Jobs. "Veterans tell us repeatedly that being able to serve their country through meaningful, restorative work is the most healing thing they could experience post-combat. We appreciate the Wal-Mart Foundation for this generous donation, and are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on our nation's service members."

PRNEWSWIRE

Wal-Mart Tests New Hybrid Trucks, Alternative Fuels

Today, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced it will test two new types of heavy-duty commercial hybrid trucks and two different alternatively fueled heavy duty trucks as a part of the company's efforts to build on its progress in developing a more sustainable trucking fleet. The new trucks include:

• A full-propulsion Arvin Meritor hybrid that will initially operate in the Detroit area. This dual-mode diesel-electric hybrid is believed to be the first vehicle of its type;
• Fifteen trucks operating in Buckeye, Ariz. distribution center near Phoenix, will be converted by Environmental Development Group to run on Reclaimed Grease Fuel(TM), made with the waste brown cooking grease from Walmart stores. In addition, the remaining trucks located in the Buckeye distribution center will operate on an 80/20 blend of biodiesel made of reclaimed yellow waste grease;
• Five Peterbilt Model 386 heavy duty hybrid trucks with diesel-electric hybrid power systems developed by Eaton Corporation and PACCAR, that will be based in Dallas, Houston, Apple Valley, Calif., Atlanta and the Washington/Baltimore regions and;
• Four Peterbilt Model 386 trucks and one yard truck, which operates only on the distribution center property, will operate on liquid natural gas. These trucks are part of a partnership with the Mojave Air Quality Management District and will operate out of the distribution center in Southern California.

"In order to meet our goal of doubling our fleet efficiency, we are taking an active role in the development of these technologies," said Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We look forward to determining if these technologies will help reduce our environmental footprint, are viable for our business and provide a return on investment."

Wal-Mart achieved more than a 25 percent increase in efficiency within its private fleet between 2005 and 2008, surpassing one of the company's stated sustainability goals. By reaching this goal, Wal-Mart has been able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and its fuel use. This goal was reached by using a combination of new, innovative technologies, better delivery routes and by loading its trailers more efficiently. Now, the company is working toward its goal of doubling its fleet efficiency by 2015, from its 2005 baseline. Part of this pilot program is to determine if alternatively fueled trucks can help move Wal-Mart toward that goal in addition to reducing environmental impacts.

Walmart Stores Inc.