News Releases

Here are previously announced Wal-Mart Oregon News articles:

Salem, Ore. – In November 2007, Wal-Mart presented board members of the South Gateway Neighborhood Association (SGNA) with a check for $5,000 on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The donation will be used to improve Sumpter School Park, located on Wormwood Street and connected to Sumpter School.

The neighborhood group had raised a little more than $9,000 but needed $5,000 more dollars to be eligible to receive a matching grant from the city of Salem. Wal-Mart stepped up to donate the final $5,000 which, combined with the city’s matching grant, will allow the group to purchase park equipment, including slides, a bouncy bridge and a jungle gym structure. The park’s old wooden equipment had to be demolished in 2006.

The Salem Wal-Mart stores on Lancaster Drive and Turner Road had also previously donated $1,000 each to SGNA, for a total of $7,000 in contributions from Wal-Mart. With the support from Wal-Mart, a grant from the Autzen Foundation and donations from the community, the neighborhood group has raised a total of $30,365. SGNA is still raising funds to pay for the cost of installing the equipment.

Sumpter School Park offers diverse facilities, such as a basketball court, jogging paths and a ball field. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

When Bells Are Ringing, Change is Jingling at Wal-Mart

December 2007 – The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign returns to Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations in Oregon and nationwide Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations around the country – including stores and Clubs in Oregon – have welcomed back The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.

For more than 20 years, Wal-Mart has supported The Salvation Army and each year hosts the bell ringers who collect donations for the annual campaign in the familiar red kettles in front of stores and Clubs from Nov. 23 through Christmas Eve.

Customers can also support The Salvation Army by giving through the company’s online Red Kettle, which can be accessed through www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com. “Bells Ringing Across America” kicked off this week at a Wal-Mart store in Battle Creek, Mich., where Lee Scott, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., presented a $1 million donation to The Salvation Army from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Commissioner Israel Gaither, national commander for The Salvation Army, was on hand to accept the contribution.

“Last year was the first year we held 'Bells Ringing Across America,' and it was a terrific way for our company to show our support for The Salvation Army,” said Lee Scott, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “During the 2006 holiday season, The Salvation Army collected a record $30 million in kettles in front of our stores and Clubs, representing almost 25 percent of all contributions received through the Red Kettle campaign.”

"Wal-Mart's ongoing partnership with The Salvation Army is an invaluable support to our organization, and therefore, to those individuals and families that we serve at Christmas-time and year-round," said Commissioner Gaither. "Without their support during times of crisis or during our most important fundraiser of the year – the Christmas Red Kettle Campaign – it would be difficult to serve the millions of people in need as we do all year long."

In April, The Salvation Army presented Wal-Mart with its Evangeline Booth Award for excellence in corporate philanthropy. Donations made to The Salvation Army through stores and clubs will go directly toward helping those in need, right in their own neighborhoods.

Seattle, Nov. 1, 2007 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Clinton Climate Initiative announced a partnership to help bring environmentally-friendly technologies to cities across the United States and around the world. The two groups will explore ways to use their purchasing resources to lower prices on sustainable technologies such as energy efficient building materials and systems, energy efficient lighting and clean energy products.

Former President Bill Clinton made the announcement at the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit held in Seattle. In addition to the partnership with Wal-Mart, President Clinton announced that the Clinton Climate Initiative will extend its programs and purchasing consortium to all 1,100 cities represented by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The consortium includes the C40 Climate Leadership Group, representing 40 of the world’s largest cities. “This shows what can be achieved when business, government and the non-profit sector work together on some of the biggest challenges facing the world today,” said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “By combining our resources, we can help drive innovation, create new technology markets and ultimately reduce this country’s dependence on foreign oil.”

As part of the partnership the two organizations will: Collaborate regarding the design and discovery of new products and best practices related to environmentally-friendly technologies. This includes working together to develop specifications for new products and test new products. Work together to source new products, again sharing specifications as well as suppliers. This also includes going to market at coordinated times in order to maximize purchasing power and drive down costs. Designate a representative from each organization to coordinate with Wal-Mart’s building team, the Clinton Climate Initiative and its member cities. Continue to seek opportunities for the two organizations to collaborate.

"Climate change is a global issue that we must address immediately if we are to reverse its catastrophic effects," said President Clinton. "I am pleased that the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Wal-Mart and many businesses are working with my foundation. Together, I hope that we can have a measurable impact on greenhouse gas emissions around the world."

One of the technologies the partnership will explore is energy-efficient, high-performance LED lights for parking lots and street lamps. By switching to LEDs, Wal-Mart estimates that cities could save 50 percent on street lamp energy consumption and reduce maintenance costs by 80 percent. Additional technologies to be explored may include interior LED lighting, variable-speed heating ventilation and air conditioning technology (HVAC) and solar power purchases.

About the Clinton Climate Initiative For more information on the Clinton Climate Initiative visit www.ClintonFoundation.org.