 Wal-Mart donated $8,000 to support Southern and Eastern Kentucky’s 2009 PRIDE Spring Cleanup.
For two years now, the company has been the exclusive Gold-Level sponsor of the Spring Cleanup. The Silver-Level Sponsors this year are Outdoor Venture Corporation and SouthEast Telephone.
PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month in April brings together volunteers to pick up roadside litter and beautify welcome areas across 38 counties. Local governments and organizations are recruiting the volunteers. PRIDE is providing the volunteer T-shirts and cleanup supplies, as well as help with trash disposal and beautification costs.
“I appreciate Wal-Mart’s commitment to the PRIDE Spring Cleanup by making this donation and encouraging employees to volunteer,” said Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5). Rogers founded PRIDE, which is a nonprofit organization that promotes the region’s environmental cleanup and education efforts.
“We plan to recruit 20,000 Spring Cleanup volunteers,” Rogers added. “Wal-Mart’s donation will make sure they have the cleanup supplies they need. The funds also will be used for food and door prizes to reward hard-working volunteers.”
“PRIDE continues to work diligently to set high environmental standards in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and we are pleased to support its efforts again this year through sponsoring the annual Spring Cleanup,” said Jason Wetzel, Senior Manager Public Affairs, Wal-Mart.
“Many of our associates volunteered to help clean the roadways through this scenic part of the state,” Wetzel continued. “This too emphasizes our commitment to supporting causes that are important to customers in their own neighborhoods.”
Wal-Mart’s philanthropic contributions in Kentucky totaled nearly $8 million in 2008. With more than 33,000 Kentuckians employed by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the company is the state’s largest private employer.
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Wal-Mart — and its domestic and international Foundations — gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. More information about Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.
April is also Redbud Month, and communities that participate in the Spring Cleanup can receive free redbud trees and seedlings. For more information, please contact Michelle Spencer at 606-677-6142 or mspencer@tourseky.com or visit www.tourseky.com.
To become a Spring Cleanup volunteer, please call the PRIDE Office, toll free, at 888-577-4339.
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