Helping our school!

(Carrying desks and chairs into completed portable classrooms)

We have been moving and

painting portable classrooms

for several weeks now. Below is a letter I

wrote for the Wal-Mart daily news.

It tells a little bit about what is going on

concerning Rylee's school fire.

I will posts more after our volunteering

this week for the "Fill the Bus" campaign.

MY ASSOCIATE STORY

On July 13, 2009, my daughter’s elementary school caught on fire. The fire destroyed 30% of the building in 9 minutes. Our school district held a meeting, explaining how a majority of the teachers had lost everything i.e. diplomas, certifications, furniture and personal supplies, etc. Teachers and administrators will not be able to go back into the building to recoup any items, because of the safety hazards, as well as asbestos that was spread throughout the building.

During this meeting, I started taking notes and thinking how Wal-Mart gives to the community. Afterward, I spoke with one of our managers at the meeting. We went to our GM the next day with the list of items we thought the company could help with. We got our DC and transportation facility to donate the use of our Wal-Mart trailers, pallets, shrink-wrap, tape, cardboard boxes and water. Wal-Mart community grants from the DC, transportation and the WROC totaling $15,000. An event VAP was set up to help paint the 12 portable classrooms and to help with any items that need moving between the storage trailers and school. A supply drive and book drive were established for the school.

The teachers affected by this tragedy admire all that we are doing to help. They tell horrible stories of loss. Always asking tearfully, "How do I just start over after 18 years?" Somewhere in these stories is another story of how one of our associates helped them in some way. I feel blessed to work with such great people, Wal-Mart people. Not to mention the tireless work done by manager, Karen Stanworth, the driving force in getting the portables painted. Our HR Manager, Shelby Telelli and GM, Jeff Loafman, have gone above and beyond for our teachers, kids and community.

As a parent, I am grateful for the work done by our DC and its associates. As an associate, it is heartwarming to see the giving and generous spirit of associates I interact with each day at work. I am proud to say that this really is, MY WAL-MART.
Gerri
Wal-Mart DC#7026