Of all the Walmart stores in the world — there are about 8,500 in 30 countries — the one in Iola was among the most charitable in 2011 and that goodwill soon could be recognized internationally.
Iola’s Walmart has been nominated for the Helen R. Walton “Excellence in Community Leadership” Award, which recognizes one store annually that “sets the standard for being a ‘Facility of the Community’ at an exemplary level through charitable giving, associate involvement and volunteerism,” according to the Walmart website.
Jeff Livingston, Iola Wal-mart manager, said the retail and grocery store doubled its philanthropic levels in 2011, giving back just a smidgen under $30,000 to area organizations, such as Thrive Allen County, SAFE BASE and USD 257, Hope Unlimited, Crime Stoppers, Kiwanis Club and many others.
Livingston said Walmart employees deserve all the credit. Through a program Walmart calls VAP, Volunteerism Always Pays, for every 25 hours a Walmart employee spends volunteering in the community, the retail giant donates $250 to an organization of the employee’s choice.
With about 1,400 hours of community volunteerism served by 110, or 58 percent, of Iola Walmart employees and associates, Walmart assistant manager Shandie Wrench said the store blew the seven others in the market out of the water when it came to community giving.
“I know in our market we’ve exceeded all stores,” she said. “If you combined all seven (of the other Walmarts) they wouldn’t even reach what we have.”
Just as the local Walmart’s efforts are being recognized by the corporation, they’re also noticed by the community.
“The group of people working at this particular Walmart are very reflective of people in this area in general. They are very community oriented,” said Dorothy Sparks, executive director of Hope Unlimited, which provides support to victims of family violence and sexual assault. “They live here in the community so they know what the community needs.”
In late December Walmart, which has been in Iola for 23 years, provided 53 children and their families, nominated for gifts by the Hope Unlimited staff, toys, clothes, food and other Christmas gifts, doubling its holiday giveaway from 2010.
“They do a good job of finding gaps in services in the community and they try and find ways to bridge those gaps,” Sparks said.
The winner of the Helen R. Walton award, which won’t be picked until early spring, will receive a one-time $10,000 grant to be donated to a local organization of the store’s choice.
