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Walmart Foundations provides support to the NMI Chapter
SAIPAN– the NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross announced that it received a $42,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation, to be used for the Disaster Services program to purchase disaster relief supplies to be prepositioned on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota . The NMI Chapter is one of 128 Red Cross chapters awarded funds as part of the Wal-Mart Foundation’s initiative to support disaster response and capacity building projects nationwide.
Given today’s economic uncertainties, this Walmart grant could not have come at a better time. Despite the fact that Wal-Mart does not even have a store here in the CNMI, they were willing to help our community out. This really is testament to Wal-Mart’s grass roots beginnings and their belief in giving back to the public. This should serve as an example to other non-profit and government agencies. Anything is possible. There is money out there, it’s just a matter of finding it and taking the necessary steps to get it said J.D. Tenorio, the Emergency Services Director of the NMI Chapter.
The Wal-Mart Foundation partnered with the American Red Cross to create a $5 million Disaster Readiness and Capacity Building Grant Program. This grant will benefit communities across the country that reside near Red Cross chapters located in remote areas that often become isolated during times of disaster and whose chartered jurisdictions serve less than one million people – like The NMI Chapter.
The grant will be used to purchase clean-up kits, rakes, shovels, and other disaster relief supplies which will be prepositioned on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota . Other areas that the grant will be used for is to help fund the training of new and existing volunteers in the areas of disaster services.
“At Wal-Mart, helping communities is what we do every day. And when a crisis strikes, that charge becomes an even greater priority,” said Margaret Mckenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. “Our long-standing support of the American Red Cross is evidence of our commitment to supporting local disaster relief efforts. We are hopeful that the $5 million we have given to local Red Cross chapters across the country will result in the swift, effective response to disasters, and the development of resources before disaster strikes.”
The Wal-Mart Foundation stands ready to help and to work with local leaders, community organizations and elected officials in the instance of a disaster. With a long-standing commitment to supporting local disaster relief efforts, the Wal-Mart Foundation works with the American Red Cross and other organizations in an effort to help its neighbors and communities during times of need. “We are appreciative to the Wal-Mart Foundation for this much needed grant to enhance our local chapters’ ability to serve their communities,” said Michael Brown, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships at the American Red Cross. “Because of their generous support, we will be better positioned to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters in communities across the country.”
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. In 2007, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States . To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org
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