For Joe Morman, the Competitive Edge Scholarship made all the difference. Although he excelled throughout high school, his family simply did not have the financial resources to send him to college. Now, thanks to scholarship, Joe is building an impressive scholastic career as he studies electrical engineering at Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology.While Joe hopes to one day become a leader in his field, he has already become one in the Morman household, where he continues to inspire his three younger siblings. The scholarship came from Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain, which tries to recognise the profound impact of education.
States the Wal-Mart Foundations mission statement, ``What we learn shapes our values and dreams, and gives us the ability to pursue them. It's with this in mind that Wal-Mart invests in the future success of America through a variety of awards and scholarship programmes.''
In Lewistown, Pennsylvania, a little girl needed expensive medical treatment to helpher walk. The Wal-Mart associates there couldn't wait to pitch in and raise money for the Children's Miracle Network (CMN). That money helped CMN provide the care and equipment needed to get Taylor up and walking on her own. Taylor decided to thank those associates by doing her therapy right in the store, where her grandfather brought her every day.
As part of an ongoing commitment to keeping children safe and healthy, Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club support a number of child-oriented programmes. Wal-Mart recognises that children truly are the future of their country. They have their whole lives ahead of them, and Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club are doing everything possible to make sure those are healthy, happy, fulfilling lives.
When Wal-Mart Green Coordinator Paul Estrada heard that a river in San Marcos, Texas, needed cleaning up, he and dozens of associates drove right in. They took advantage of Wal-Mart's environmental programme to adopt a seven-acre section of the San Marcos River. Together, they are not onlykeeping the river safe and clean for future generations to enjoy, but are also protecting the homes of several endangered plants and animals.
According to an on-line statement, the foundations holds that ``At Wal-Mart, we believe it is our responsibility to be a part of the collective effort to protect and preserve our natural resources.''
The Wal-Mart Foundation has developed a four-part company-wide commitment to:
Provide environmentally improved products to their customers
Look for better ways to build and operate Wal-Mart stores and offices
Support and encourage local community and environmental activities
Support educational programmes for children.The Wal-Mart Foundation serves Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, with stewardship, compassion and integrity by developing and implementing programmes that support children and families through education, health and economic development in the local communities.
To inspire their associates and partners to be builders of theircommunities, Wal-Mart's community involvement philosophy is stated as follows: ``We believe that community concerns are best addressed in our local communities.'' Consequently, 97 per cent of the foundation's funding initiatives are directed by Wal-Mart Stores, SAM'S Clubs and Distribution Centers associates in their own communities. The foundation also believes that being involved means more than making financial or material contributions.
The foundation strongly encourages their associates to be involved in the community by seeking out volunteer opportunities. The majority of the community involvement programmes require Wal-Mart's associates to assist community non-profits by helping raise funds. It is rare that the foundation fund national or regional causes. When it does support national causes, the foundation requires that funds stay in the local community to benefit the area where they are raised.
The total community involvement of the foundation in 1998 was as follows: Community Matching Grants,$42,981,562; Children's Miracle Network, $27,000,000; Store Contribution, $19,979,016; United Way, $14,500,000; Scholarships, $8,000,000; Holiday Charitable Contribution, $4,527,106; Other Donations, $3,442,800; Economic Development, $2,421,840; Make A Difference Day, $2,400,000; Environment, $1,599,861; Teacher of the Year, $1,138,000. The total added up to almost $ 128 million.
At the same time, all is not well at Wal-Mart. Socially responsible shareholders of Wal-Mart are engaged in a multifaceted campaign to focus attention on the social shortcomings of the world's largest retailer. These shareholders have been circulating a petition to that effect. The letter states: ``The unparalleled growth of Wal-Mart as an aggressive and competitive global retailer raises serious concerns that the company's strategic vision to achieve success in the marketplace comes without an ethical standard of measurement on which to base decisions about the company's support of human rights, a living wage for employeesworld-wide, a diverse work force with attainable upward mobility in management, respect for indigenous rights, environmental improvement and transparency, and a commitment to sustainable communities in its service areas.
The globalisation of the economy has heightened already fierce competition, both here in the US and especially in developing countries, to produce for less and sell for less, at the expense of meeting the basic needs of peoples and communities.''
The petitioners feel that by gathering signatures for this letter they will help pressure Wal-Mart into responding to the separate shareholder resolutions the company is facing this year:
Implementation of the Glass Ceiling Report's recommendations
Respect for American Indian cultures and sovereignty by stopping construction of stores on sacred burial sites and by refusing to sell products using logos that are derogatory to Indian peoples
Improvement of its environmental record and endorsement of the CERESPrinciples
Implementation of its Standards for Vendor Partners by its manufacturers, suppliers and sub-contractors to ensure that labour rights are supported and living wages are paid, using independent monitors to ensure compliance
Establishment of mechanisms to work constructively with local and regional populations in assessing Wal-Mart's economic and social impact on communities in its intended service areas. -- WWW
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.