Justin Sullivan/Getty Images NewsWreaths Across America (WAA) announced that Walmart has once again come forward to provide support in the form of wreath sponsorships for veterans’ graves across the United States, as well as trucking and logistics services to deliver thousands of wreaths to their destinations nationwide.
This year, Walmart topped the half-million-dollar mark in wreath sponsorships and in-kind donations, including $374,750 in grants and an additional $140,000-plus in transportation services. This represents the company’s largest single-year donation to the non-profit to date. In its seven-year involvement with WAA, Walmart has donated more than $1.4 million in wreath sponsorships through its corporate and store contributions across the nation, in addition to nearly $900,000 for in-kind transportation services.
“Walmart has a long commitment to supporting our nation’s military and military families. We are very pleased to support Wreaths Across America’s important work,” said Patrick Simmons, senior director of logistics, Walmart. “As a veteran myself, it is gratifying to work for a company committed to this noble cause, and it is my hope that other companies will follow Walmart’s lead and support Wreaths Across America.”
In addition to a monetary donation that will help purchase 40,000 wreath sponsorships this year for placement at national cemeteries and memorial sites nationwide, including Arlington National Cemetery, Walmart will provide 16 tractor-trailers and close to 100 Walmart private fleet drivers—many of whom are veterans themselves—to assist in delivering more than 80,000 additional wreaths to national cemeteries in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
“It’s very gratifying to see how responsive the people at Walmart are to our mission,” said Karen Worcester, WAA executive director. “Everyone, from drivers to associates to executive leadership, has embraced our mission to remember the veterans who have sacrificed so much, and honor the men and women of the military currently serving at home and overseas, and teach the next generation the cost of freedom.”
Walmart has committed to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty. These hiring efforts have connected more than 67,861 veterans with employment opportunities nationwide.
This year’s convoy of wreaths to Arlington VA began December 6 with a kick-off ceremony in Harrington ME, followed by a weeklong escort down the East Coast, where the convoy will stop at schools and memorials along the way. Walmart will have a tractor-trailer and driver hauling wreaths in the convoy. The escort will arrive at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America Day, set for Saturday, Dec 13, 2014.
For more information, to donate, or to sign up to volunteer, access www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
Go to www.foundation.walmart.com to learn more about Walmart’s giving.
