|
Wal-Mart's charitable side
by Jeff Colbourne
NNSL (Jan 28/98) - It's a social committee with a keen interest in the well-being of Yellowknife residents in need, but rarely does it get recognized, say its members.
Nevertheless, employees of Wal-Mart, Yellowknife's biggest department
store, continue to respond to the call of people in need.
"We've been going flat out," says John Joyce, a member of
the store's social committee.
Fundraisers and raffles are held nearly every week to raise
money for one cause or another. Most recently, funds have been raised for
the ice-storm victims.
Last week, five generators, a couple of chainsaws and other
supplies were shipped off to the Red Cross in Montreal.
Before Christmas, the committee donated clothes, food and
presents to Alison McAteer House and contributed $400 to the Salvation
Army's Christmas hamper program.
Each week, the social committee makes about three donations
to various organizations, ranging from money to slightly damaged store
items.
If there's food, appliances or garments with minor damage
to them at the store, the committee says it usually lays them to the side
and ships them off to Alison McAteer or others agencies, instead of
throwing them in the trash.
"We want to help. We're not just there to take, take, take.
Wal-Mart gives back a lot of stuff," says Joyce.
Yellowknife's Wal-Mart receives considerable support from
head office too, says Jeanne Lagace, manager of universal price codes for
the store.
Yellowknife's Wal-Mart receives up to $4,000 from the
company's Canadian headquarters annually and for the ice storm victims,
Wal-Mart Canada also donated $90,000. |