Wal-Mart Partners With The Salvation Army to Air Christmas Carol Concert on In-Store TV Network
Wal-Mart Partners With The Salvation Army to Air Christmas Carol Concert on In-Store TV Network
Program Features Christmas Message from Renowned Pastor Rick Warren
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., in partnership with The Salvation Army, will broadcast a Christmas Carol Concert in all stores and Sam's Club locations on Dec. 7 via the retailer's in-store TV network. The Concert features a Christmas message from Pastor Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life," and music by The Salvation Army's New York Staff Brass Band and the Wal-Mart associate choir.
Pastor Warren's message, which was specially recorded for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club shoppers, is at the heart of the Christmas Carol Concert to be aired on Wal-Mart and Sam's Club TV at 9:30 a.m. in all time zones. Wal-Mart and The Salvation Army approached Warren after the pastor gave a speech about the importance of giving back during The Salvation Army's NAOC Conference in April 2007. As part of the event, The Salvation Army recognized both Pastor Warren and Wal-Mart with the organization's coveted Evangeline Booth Award for excellence in spiritual leadership and corporate philanthropy respectively.
"The Christmas Carol Concert is a way for us to celebrate the joy, goodwill and selflessness of the holiday season with our shoppers -- and to showcase our continued support for the work of our friends at The Salvation Army," said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
"The holiday season is a time of reflection and togetherness, and a time for all of us to gather with loved ones and count our blessings," said Pastor Warren. "I hope the Christmas Carol Concert, and my special Christmas message, will make this season extra meaningful for all who watch it."
The Christmas Carol Concert will be available for online viewing at http://www.walmartchristmascarolconcert.com/ following the broadcast in all Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations.
In addition to the concert, Wal-Mart is continuing its long standing support of The Salvation Army with a variety of other holiday initiatives including:
-- Bells Ringing Across America -- For the second year, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club associates participated in the retailer's "Bells Ringing Across America" event. On Nov. 27, associates at Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs nationwide rang bells outside of their respective locations. Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and The Salvation Army's National Commander Israel Gaither participated in the event outside the Wal-Mart store in Battle Creek, Mich. During this event, Scott presented The Salvation Army with a $1 million check on behalf of the Wal-Mart Foundation. Additionally, Rayovac Batteries launched its "Keep it Ringing" cross-country bell-ringing program benefiting The Salvation Army, and also presented $250,000 to the organization. -- Sam's Club Dream Drive -- In partnership with the Off the Field Players Wives Association, Sam's Club will provide up to $50,000 worth of merchandise and food for Salvation Army families enrolled in the charity's Adopt a Family Program. Professional and legendary football players' wives will shop for the families at participating Sam's Club locations on Dec. 6 in Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and San Diego. -- Salvation Army Brass Band Concerts -- The Salvation Army's local Brass Bands will perform special concerts at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations across the country throughout the holiday season.
The Salvation Army's red kettles will be outside Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations from Nov. 23 through Christmas Eve, and customers can also make contributions to The Salvation Army through Wal-Mart's online kettle, which can be accessed at http://www.walmart.com/ and http://www.samsclub.com/. Last year, The Salvation Army collected more than $30 million from customers in front of stores and clubs -- accounting for 25 percent of total funds contributed to the organization and helping to assist more than 35 million people in need.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/ or http://www.walmartstores.com/.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: pauline.tureman@wal-mart.com
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
CONTACT: Shannon Frederick, 1-800-331-0085, for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Web site: http://www.walmartstores.com/
http://www.samsclub.com/
http://www.walmartchristmascarolconcert.com/
Profile: International Entertainment
posted by EntertainmentNews @ 7:04 AM
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