5.09.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) raised and contributed nearly $47 million for local communities in the first quarter of 2000, which ended April 30. Wal-Mart associates and customers of more than 3,000 locations nationwide helped raise these funds through the community involvement activities directed by the Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation, the charitable arm of the company.

The biggest fund-raising drive was for Children's Miracle Network (CMN), 170 children's hospitals across North America that treat 14 million children each year, regardless of the families' financial situation. This campaign year, Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club raised $14.7 million for CMN hospitals. All funds raised will go to the stores' and clubs' local hospitals to treat local children. Fundraising will continue through May. The final amount will be announced June 4 during the national CMN television broadcast.

The Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation ranks among the top five corporate foundations by giving, according to The Foundation Center, an organization that seeks to foster public understanding of philanthropic organizations. Wal-Mart empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through its "Good Works" initiative. Last year, associates of the company's more than 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $163 million to charitable organizations nationwide.

"Wal-Mart is committed to grass roots support and fundraising that benefits local community organizations where they need it most - at the local level," said Don Soderquist, senior vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. "Our associates know which organizations are the most important in their hometowns, and we empower them to determine how the Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation will contribute locally."

First quarter highlights for the Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation include:

$14.7 million for children's hospitals to treat local children.

$9 million in community matching grants to local organizations that partner with their stores or clubs to host fundraisers.

$8.4 million in scholarships to more than 3,000 students pursuing college degrees.

$4.6 million raised for the National World War II Memorial.

$1.5 million in education grants to 3,000 Teachers of the Year for use in their schools.

$1.6 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America to grant children's wishes.

$300,000 to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), of which $150,000 is earmarked for the Youth Entrepreneurial Institute, which empowers African-American young people to learn the skills required to become successful business owners.

$10,000 to the Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund to support the group's efforts to ensure maximum participation in the 2000 U.S. Census by the nation's Hispanic population.

$46,000 to the Youth Stand Up! Against Violence Rally April 20 that addressed the national issue of youth violence in schools.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through its "Good Works" initiative. Last year, associates of the company's more than 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $163 million to charitable organizations nationwide. In addition, Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club employ a number of programs that encourage children's health and safety, education and community-minded awareness. For more information about Wal-Mart's Good Works efforts, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation Twenty Years of Giving


In 1999, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. raised and contributed more than $163 million for local charities nationwide, returning more than $3 million weekly to local communities.
Wal-Mart is a leading supporter of children's health in the United States. The company raised and contributed $29 million to local children's hospitals in 1999 through the Children's Miracle Network, and has contributed $160 million to local children's hospitals since 1987.

Wal-Mart provided more than $64 million in matching grants during 1999 to 40,000 local non- profit organizations that held fundraisers at Wal-Mart stores and SAM'S Clubs.

Wal-Mart and its associates have contributed $114 million to the United Way since 1983.

Wal-Mart allocates more than $3 million annually to industrial funding to enhance community growth and development through job creation and industrial recruiting.

Wal-Mart's support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has helped the organization recover hundreds of missing children. As a direct result of the Missing Children's Boards located inside each Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club, 37 children have been returned to their homes.

Wal-Mart is one of the leading supporters of education in the United States. Last year, Wal- Mart invested $8.4 million in individual college scholarship programs, providing funds for its own associates, local communities and minority students.