thank you WAL-MART!

[mafibisha]

I know there are countless people and companies helping but Wal-Mart has a new life-long customer (me!). To date, $23 Million has been donated. Yes I know its a huge company but I haven't heard of any other company giving quite that much.

I think we really need to support companies that support our fellow Americans!!!!

While I've loved Target, I haven't heard that they've contributed....but then they're not an American Company either.

(sorry if this is redundant, but I didn't see it anywhere else and NO, I am not affiliated with the company, although I have two of them within 20 miles or so!)

 

[KathyTX]

Target is definitely an American company, based in Minnesota.

From their website:

Target has announced a $1.5 million donation to the American Red Cross, with $500,000 going for immediate relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, and an additional $1 million for ongoing disaster relief and preparedness.

In addition to cash contributions, Target is offering much-needed real estate in Louisiana to the Red Cross to establish a central command center supporting the most heavily impacted areas of the storm. Target is also looking into real estate availability in Alabama and Mississippi.

Target is coordinating large-scale distribution of essential products requested by the Red Cross, including such items as water, ice, energy bars and bug spray. Stores in the affected areas have been given additional funds to provide in-kind product donations and grants to local nonprofit organizations. Our teams also will provide volunteer support.

Many, many corporations are donating to relief efforts in many different ways.

But a lot of this corporate giving is a bit disingenuous, IMHO. A corporation doesn't really have money to donate; it has shareholders. These shareholders are employees, individuals who own stock, savings and retirement and investment funds who own that corporation's stock. If Wal-Mart gives $20 million dollars away, who does that come from? Someone's retirement plan. Someone's grandmother's stock dividend check. That's money out of the pocket of the individuals who have invested in that company.

Not really a rant, just something that bothers me a bit when I see company CEO's grab the spotlight as they're handing over big checks. They're not giving away their own money, but that of their investors.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Actually I think the Wal-Mart corporation is giving $10-13 mil and the actual Walton family, who is lovely by the way, is making up the rest.

 

[Regina]

Along the lines of what WM Kathy said, another pet peeve of mine is when companies collect donations from the customers then turn around and give the check to the organization in the company's name. What exactly are they donating?

I'm by no means implying this is the case of WalMart, I'm talking about the general practice of soliciting donations from customers and taking credit for it.

 

[totalia]

I love Wal-Mart. Wonderful company. Not surprised at all they did this.

 

[the kabuki]

Semi off topic but along the same lines, what about these mega supers stars in this country, the movie stars that make 20 million for one movie, or the football/basketball/baseball players with 100 million dollar contracts. Have any of these donated? Is there some sort of listing of what they've donated?

Why is that in this country of mega millionaires, is it always those on the lower end of the pay scale, those for whom a gallon of gas, or a loaf of bread are planned out purchases, why are they depended upon to give relief? For once I'd like to see those who pull in millions every year say, hey..we've got this one, we'll take care of it. Or at least the majority of it. Sure they'll be on TV asking for donations, doing benefit concerts, but have they given their "fair share"?

If it sounds like I'm against the average joe contributing, I'm not. I believe that we should all help in times like these, and it's terrific that the Walton family is contributing 10 million, but really that's just a drop in the bucket to them. Rob Walton alone, oldest son of Sam Walton, is worth an estimated 18 BILLION according to Forbes. Just stop and let that number sink in- 18 Billion.... makes the 10 million donated seem a little smaller doesn't it?

And please, I realize that I know they have no legal obligation to donate anything at all, but...it just seems when you're the 6th richest person in the world, well $10 million starts to sound a little puny

 

[staci]

I know i read right away that hillary duff gave 200,000. That was like the day after it hit. I thought that was pretty good, as she is only 17.

 

[KathyTX]

Actually, many celebrities have donated large sums. Foreign countries, too. Here are a few of the international donations that have poured in:

Afghanistan: $100,000
Armenia: $100,000
Australia: $7.6 million
Azerbaijan: $500,000
Bahamas: $50,000
Bahrain: $5 million
Bangladesh: $1 million
Belgium: Medical/logistics teams to Red Cross
Canada: 2 helicopters, 32-person rescue team, Air Canada evacuation flights, medical supplies
China: $5.1 million cash and relief supplies
Djibouti: $50,000
Finland: 3 logisticians to Red Cross
France: Tents, tarps, Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), water treatment supplies
Gabon: $500,000
Georgia: $50,000
Germany: MREs and high speed pumps
Greece: Cruise ships, private offer of an International Committee of the Red Cross Web-based tracing system
India: $5 million
Israel: Tents, first aid kits, baby formula
Italy: Generators, water pumps/purifiers, tents, medical supplies
Japan: $1 million cash, generators, tents, blankets, bottled water
Kuwait: $400 million in oil, $100 million cash
Maldives: $25,000 cash
Mexico: Bedding, MREs, baby care items, personal hygiene kits
NATO: Coordinating European assistance offers
Norway: $1.54 million in relief supplies
Organization of American States: $25,000 cash
Qatar: $100 million cash
Republic of Korea: $30 million cash and in-kind donations
Saudi Arabia: $255 million from Aramco
Singapore: 3 helicopters
Sri Lanka: $25,000 cash
Taiwan: $2 million cash, medical supplies
Thailand: Large amounts of food
United Arab Emirates: $100 million cash
United Kingdom: MREs
U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: U.N. Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team and logistics support
U.N. World Health Organization: Public health officers and logisticians
Venezuela: Up to $1 million to Red Cross


Some of the celebrity donations include:

Nic Cage: $1,000,000
Celine Dion: $1,000,000
Hilary Duff : $250,000
Diddy and Jay-Z: $1,000,000 (joint gift)
Pat Sajak: $100,000

There are lots and lots more.

Truly, people and countries who have a lot as well as those who have little have all pitched in and dug into their pockets to help fund the relief effort.

 

[robinb]

I am sure that Wal*Mart associates are very happy. Harrah's Casino displaced employees are being paid for 90 days. Northrop-Grumman and McDonalds are paying their employees for 2 weeks. How long is Wal*Mart, the biggest employer in the US, paying their employees? 3 Days. That's it. I have felt bad about shopping at Wal*Mart, but did it anyway for the bargains. Their stinginess to their very own employees is shocking. Why pay when the US government will pick up the tab? Just like health care. This was the last straw for me and Wal*Mart. I don't care how many other ways they help. They have left their very own people on their own. I cannot forgive that and I certainly can't thank them for finding a big, fat tax break.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

robinb, do you have a link or some verification to that story? Your trying to tell me they are giving millions but shafting their own employees? That's outrageous if it's true!

 

[robinb]

I heard it on NPR this morning: http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=3 .

Click on "Firms Work to Locate and Pay Displaced Workers" to hear the full story.

ETA: Here's the link:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4834165

 

[palmtreegirl]

They are offering jobs to any displaced employees. They had a report on CNN of a Walmart worker from New Orleans who lost everything and started work at a Texas Walmart today. They've told all their displaced employees to just show up at any Walmart and they will have a job waiting for them.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

They are offering jobs to any displaced employees. They had a report on CNN of a Walmart worker from New Orleans who lost everything and started work at a Texas Walmart today. They've told all their displaced employees to just show up at any Walmart and they will have a job waiting for them.

While that helps a little I still think they should have done a little better. A lot of these employees live paycheck to paycheck. I understand corporations can't afford to pay the help forever but something like McDonalds 2 weeks seems far more reasonable to me

 

[PixieDust32]

I know there are countless people and companies helping but Wal-Mart has a new life-long customer (me!). To date, $23 Million has been donated. Yes I know its a huge company but I haven't heard of any other company giving quite that much.

I think we really need to support companies that support our fellow Americans!!!!

While I've loved Target, I haven't heard that they've contributed....but then they're not an American Company either.

(sorry if this is redundant, but I didn't see it anywhere else and NO, I am not affiliated with the company, although I have two of them within 20 miles or so!)

Yes, I am a life customer of wal mart and regardless of the bad comments about the company, i like shopping there bcs i save money and is very convinient. Regardless where the money come from the point is that they company is helping.

Thanks Sam's Walton Family.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thanks Sam's Walton Family.

See that's just it though, it's Walmart, NOT the Waltons. It's the American citizens and people all around the world who shop and helped Walmart generate the $256 billion ( ) in revenue they made in 2004. Yes it is great that Walmart is giving, but lets give the credit to the people who really deserve it.

Why is that in this country of mega millionaires, is it always those on the lower end of the pay scale, those for whom a gallon of gas, or a loaf of bread are planned out purchases, why are they depended upon to give relief? For once I'd like to see those who pull in millions every year say, hey..we've got this one, we'll take care of it. Or at least the majority of it. Sure they'll be on TV asking for donations, doing benefit concerts, but have they given their "fair share"?

I totally agree with you. It always amazed me, but Mississippi, the poorest state in the United States, actually has the HIGHEST percentage of giving.

 

[kejoda]

Target is based in Minneapolis MN. Last I heard we were still one of the 50 states.

And just because Target doesn't announce everything they give doesn't mean that they don't. They have been giving plenty.

 

[PixieDust32]

See that's just it though, it's Walmart, NOT the Waltons. It's the American citizens and people all around the world who shop and helped Walmart generate the $256 billion ( ) in revenue they made in 2004. Yes it is great that Walmart is giving, but lets give the credit to the people who really deserve it.



OK OK OK OK OK !!! Thanks to all of us that shop at Wal Mart! THERE! I guess I cannot give out my own opinions! Oh well! So Thanks to all the People that shop at Sears, Target, not to the companies or owners !!!!!!

 

[robinb]

They've told all their displaced employees to just show up at any Walmart and they will have a job waiting for them.

I think it's nice that they are offering jobs at other stores. That's great for the people who can get back on their feet enough to find another store. However, the last day of work for many of those people was Friday August 26th. The folks who have not been able to get on their feet have not been paid since 8/29. These are people who live paycheck to paycheck. I think that instead of tooting its own horn about what great things it is doing (have we seen a commercial yet?) Wal*Mart should take better care of its own employees.

One more thing ... finding positions for displaced workers is not unusual or special in a situation like this. My husband's company found emergency housing and other positions for all of its displaced workers.

 

[crusin'minnie]

I can also verify that at the shelter in my hometown they made an announcement that anyone who worked for Wal-mart, Sam's or Walgreen should contact our local stores and they would put them to work.

 

[Free4Life11]

OK OK OK OK OK !!! Thanks to all of us that shop at Wal Mart! THERE! I guess I cannot give out my own opinions! Oh well! So Thanks to all the People that shop at Sears, Target, not to the companies or owners !!!!!!

It's nothing against, you I just don't like when the CEO's of these companies get all the credit. The COMPANY is doing good, not just the people at the top who always get all the credit. If they want credit they can donate some of the billions and billions they have, then I'll give them a pat on the back.