From Walmart:
It
takes just five minutes to make a nomination, but the impact can last a
lifetime. That's what John Gallina and Dale Beatty of Purple Heart Homes say of
Walmart's "12 Days of Giving" Facebook program. The organization was one of
5,400 nonprofits nominated and one of 145 selected in last year's "12 Days of
Giving" campaign. For Purple Heart Homes, the grant from
Walmart supplied heat to the home of a disabled veteran's family and materials
to help retrofit homes for other veterans in need. Another grant recipient, Cradles to Crayons, was able to reach
a goal of providing 7,500 children with clothing, boots and other cold weather
gear.
Today,
Walmart kicks off the 2012 "12 Days of Giving" campaign by calling on Facebook
users to once again nominate the nonprofits that are making an impact in their
local communities and need support. Each of the "12 Days" will focus on a
different giving theme, including hunger, military assistance and disaster
relief. For example, the campaign empowers Americans to recognize nonprofits
like those providing much needed aid to the victims of this week's devastating
storm in the Northeast as well as those supporting the communities affected by
other weather events and wildfires earlier this year. The winning nonprofits
will receive a portion of a $1.5 million grant.
"Last
year, someone took the time to go on Facebook and nominate our organization for
Walmart's ‘12 Days of Giving' program and today, a disabled veteran has a
better quality of life as a result," said John Gallina, co-founder of Purple
Heart Homes. "Every individual who submits a compelling nomination has the
opportunity to make a profound impact."
Starting
today through Nov. 18, users can visit the Live Better tab on Walmart's Facebook
page
to nominate a nonprofit providing basic needs in their communities. Here's how
it works:
Visitors
nominate local organizations by submitting a 200-word description, including
the nonprofit's impact in its local community.
Participants
also can submit photos illustrating how the nonprofit helps families make ends
meet; a gallery on the page will highlight submissions throughout the campaign.
A
panel from Walmart will review submissions and select the winners.
Grant
recipients will be announced daily on Facebook and Twitter from Dec. 10 to
Dec. 21.
"There
are so many local nonprofits making a positive impact every day and yet,
oftentimes we don't hear enough about them or their needs. With this campaign,
we want to recognize these organizations and the difference they are making in
their communities," said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart
Foundation. "This holiday season, we are asking and depending on consumers to
tell us about the organizations in their communities who need our support.
Together, we can help more people who need it most."
During
the 2012 "12 Days of Giving" campaign, Walmart is providing a total of $1.5
million in grants to benefit local communities across the country. For more
information, please visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
