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Published: Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wareham Courier
Wareham, MA
Wal-Mart donated $6,000 to local groups Monday, Feb. 2, as part of its community outreach efforts.
Turning Point, a nonprofit agency that helps the homeless and near-homeless, received $5,000, and the Salvation Army received $1,000. Representatives from Wal-Mart were joined by Rep. Susan Williams Gifford, R-Wareham, to hand over the giant novelty checks, as well as the actual money that could go to helping out those in need.
“Now, more than ever before, we’re getting a lot of requests,” Wal-Mart senior manager Chris Buchanan said.
The Salvation Army rung up more than $30 million nationally in front of Wal-Mart stores alone, and the partnership between the two organizations stretches back many years.
Maj. Ralph Hansen of the Salvation Army noted that the money would go a long way to helping out people in need over the coming months.
“Everything counts,” he said.
People on hand from Turning Point were very excited about the donation.
Gifford and her husband, Mark, helped out both organizations. The Giffords braved the winter weather to man the kettle and ring the bell for the Salvation Army before Christmas. They pointed Wal-Mart in the direction of Turning Point as a worthy organization.
Buchanan noted that with all the requests the company was getting, there were a lot of hard decisions that had to be made about where donations would go. In this economy, more local charities are looking toward corporate sponsors to help keep their missions moving forward, which can be a little overwhelming.
“Fortunately, Wal-Mart is in a position to do something,” Buchanan said.
Rep. Susan Williams Gifford and her husband, Mark, back row, right, were on hand Monday as Wal-Mart made donations to the Salvation Army and Turning Point.
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