Walmart and Sam's Club Donate More Than $4 Million to U.S. Teachers Through New Teacher Rewards Program
Bentonville, Ark., September 15, 2009 — To help offset rising expenses for classroom supplies this back-to-school season, Walmart and Sam's Club have launched Teacher Rewards, a new program to provide more than $4 million to 40,000 deserving teachers across the United States. On average, teachers spend more than $500 a year out of their own pockets for classroom supplies, according to the American Federation of Teachers. Statistics like these inspire Walmart and Sam's Club associates to continue supporting education and teacher recognition in their local communities.
Focusing on schools with the highest level of need, each Walmart store and
Sam's Club location across the nation will select one local kindergarten
through eighth grade school to participate in the Teacher Rewards program. Ten teachers per school will be randomly selected to each receive a $100 Teache Rewards card to purchase classroom supplies from Walmart, Sam's Club or online at Walmart.com or Samsclub.com. These funds will help teachers purchase classroom supplies for the new school year.
"Teachers nurture, challenge and inspire our children to become our future
leaders," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. "Through the Teacher Rewards program, Walmart and Sam's Club recognize those efforts and allow educators to purchase the materials needed to support excellent teaching."
In addition to the 40,000 teachers who will be recognized by Walmart and Sam's Club, Walmart's 170 Transportation Offices and Distribution Centers nationwide will award local schools with $85,000 from the Walmart Foundation to help make a difference in students' lives. Walmart also recently awarded 20 teachers with classroom school supplies through its Write to Change the Classroom program.
The new Teacher Rewards program and the recent Write to Change the Classroom program are an extension of the retailer's ongoing support of education and local community involvement. In 2008, Walmart, Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $66 million to fund educational programs and scholarships in communities across the country.
To learn more about the Walmart Foundation's commitment to education, visit
www.walmartfoundation.org.
About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Walmart Foundation are proud to
support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates
in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and
partnerships, the Walmart 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, Walmart -- and its domestic and international
Foundations -- gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
- Companies:
- Sam's Club
- Walmart
- Walmart Foundation
- People:
- Margaret McKenna
- Rewards