/CNW/ - As Atlantic Canada braces for Hurricane Earl,
Walmart Canada announced today that its annual Canadian Red Cross
campaign has raised $2.64 million for disaster preparedness and
response. Throughout August, Walmart customers were invited to add a $1
donation for the Canadian Red Cross to their purchase. The $2.64 million
raised includes over $2 million from customer donations and $634,000
from Walmart Canadas corporate matching grants. Customer donations
increased by 9.6 per cent over the 2009 campaign.
Walmart Canada is proud to play a pivotal role in providing urgently
needed relief items during disasters and beyond, said David
Cheesewright, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. We are always
standing by, ready to support the Canadian Red Cross to ensure our
communities get the help they need when they need it the most.
Funds raised in communities are put to work in those same communities
to help the Canadian Red Cross prepare and respond - from house fires to
hurricanes and other larger-scale disasters, said Conrad Sauvé,
secretary general and CEO at the Canadian Red Cross. Walmart Canada
remains the Red Cross largest corporate donor and we greatly appreciate
their continued support.
Walmart Canadas sponsorship helps Canadian Red Cross provide emergency
supplies such as blankets, clothing, water and hygiene kits which
include toothbrushes, soap and other toiletries. Including this years
record donation, since 2003 Walmart Canada, its customers, associates
and suppliers have raised and donated nearly $16 million to the Canadian
Red Cross.
When families or entire communities are impacted by natural disaster or
other emergency, the Canadian Red Cross can respond immediately with a
range of services including emergency shelter and family reunification.
Its 5,000 highly trained volunteers provide for emergency needs like
food, shelter, emotional support and family reunification. All Red Cross
assistance is provided free of charge thanks to government funding,
financial support from individuals, organizations and community-minded
corporate donors such as Walmart.
Walmart Canada operates a growing network of 319 outlets nationwide,
serving more than one million Canadians daily. With 82,000 associates,
the company is Canadas third-largest employer. Walmart Canada has one
of the of the largest and strongest community involvement programs in
Canada. In 2009, the company raised and donated more than $25 million or
$490,000 weekly, to support more than one thousand charities and
organizations in need.
