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Wal-Mart Awards $10.9 Million to Education Teachers honored and 3,000 scholarships awarded

Wal-Mart Awards $10.9 Million to Education Teachers honored and 3,000 scholarships awarded

Published 05-23-00

Submitted by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Thousands of outstanding teachers and high school seniors are putting on a happy face -- and not just because summer break is around the corner. Thanks to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) teachers will be appreciated for excellence in education and students will have financial relief from the rising costs of a college education. Wal-Mart is awarding 6,000 grants and scholarships to graduating high school seniors, making a contribution of $10.9 million to education.

"Wal-Mart's generosity is a commendable example for others in business to follow in promoting excellence in American education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "Few actions are as noble and honorable as helping provide access to education. Many thanks to Wal- Mart for lending a helping hand not only to students, but also recognizing a sector of our society that we too often take for granted - our teachers. Our nation's future depends on both."

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes America's teachers who continuously strive to improve the education of our youth. Each year associates from each Wal-Mart store, SAM'S Club, distribution center and transportation office select an outstanding teacher and award a $500 grant to his or her school.

This year, the program will honor 3,000 teachers who distinguish themselves as mentors, motivators and innovators in education. More than $1.5 million will be awarded to schools and school districts nationwide in honor of teachers. Since the program began in 1996, Wal-Mart has saluted more than 10,700 Teachers of the Year, contributing $5.1 million in education grants.

Three thousand high school seniors will receives scholarships, totaling more than $8.4 million, for their high academic achievement, participation in school, work and community activities. The scholarships are awarded through numerous programs offered by Wal-Mart stores, the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

The scholarships are being awarded through the following programs:

250 Competitive Edge Scholarships, established in 1992 to help students pursue careers in fields vital to America's long-term economic growth - engineering, computer science, and technology-related fields. Every year, 250 of these $20,000, 4-year scholarships are awarded through more than 130 colleges and universities.

100 Walton Foundation Scholarships, $6,000 scholarships payable over 4 years to high school seniors who are the children of Wal-Mart associates. Since the program's inception in 1975, this fund has contributed nearly $6 million.

208 Wal-Mart Associate Scholarships, $1,000 scholarships awarded to Wal-Mart associates or children of qualifying associates. Since 1983, these scholarships have been given to more than 2,000 associates and totaled more than $2 million. Selection is determined on academic performance and involvement in school and community activities.

2,400 Sam Walton Community Scholarships. Wal-Mart stores annually award $1,000 scholarships to more than 2,400 qualifying local high school seniors. More than $25.6 million in such scholarships have been awarded since the program began in 1981. Annual giving is now $2 million.

More than 20 Distribution Center Scholarships, $2,500 scholarships payable over 4 years for qualified associates of Wal-Mart distribution centers and transportation offices. Each facility selects two recipients annually.
Pharmacy Scholarships. During 1999, Wal-Mart awarded 81 scholarships worth $1,000 each to students at pharmacy schools throughout the nation. Since the inception of the scholarship in 1990, Wal-Mart has awarded $575,000 to pharmacy students nationwide.

As the nation's largest employer of Hispanics and African-Americans, Wal-Mart also is committed to working with several national organizations and scholarship programs to help qualified minority students pursue higher education. Some of these programs include:

The College Fund/UNCF. Wal-Mart contributed more than $1 million over the last 5 years.

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Wal-Mart has provided $100,000 in scholarships.
League of United Latin American Citizens, a $10,000 per year scholarship commitment to LULAC's educational programs.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, an annual commitment of $50,000 granted for scholarships to students at five universities.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through its "Good Works" initiative. As part of this initiative, Wal-Mart invests in the future success of America through a variety of educational opportunities for students, teachers and associates, including scholarships, internships, school-to-career programs and Teacher of the Year awards. Last year, associates of the company's 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $160 million to charitable organizations nationwide. For more information about Wal-Mart's Good Works efforts, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. logo

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our 10,700 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmartgreen. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

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