In Sam We Trust
When Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, it was the beginning of an amazing success story. At its heart, Wal-Mart is a place where prices are low, and value and customer service are high every day. Since then Wal-Mart has become the world's number one retailer with over 2,500 stores worldwide. With this expansion, Wal-Mart has also been the receiver of negativity from small town business owners and aggressive Wal-Mart activists. These people claim that Wal-Mart's main goal is to increase their bottom line no matter what the cost. They believe that Wal-Mart is stealing American hometown identity, pushing the local businesses into bankruptcy, and in return, giving nothing back to the community. However, this perception has been wrongly justified. Another grand opening is not the main goal of this discount store. Best stated by Walton in his acceptance speech for the Medal of Freedom, the goal of Wal-Mart is to "...lower the cost of living for everyone, not just in America, but to give the world an opportunity to see what it's like to save and have a better lifestyle, a better life for all" ("Wal-Mart Online" 1). Many small towns across America fight the expansion of Wal-
Johnston, Jo-Ann. "Who's Really the Villain?" Writing and Reading Across the Norman also argues that "Wal-Mart gives very little back to the community outside of one high school scholarship per year"(208). The contributions Wal-Mart has given the community and nation strongly disagree with this statement. Their involvement in programs of economic development, education, and environmental education largely back and aide the community. Wal-Mart contributes approximately 4.5 million in grants and scholarships to the community each year, not to mention the 127 million to corporate sponsorships ("Wal-Mart Data" 1). Wal-Mart is the main contributor to the Children's Miracle Network, which assists children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. Since 1988, Wal-Mart has given more that $91 million to 165 Children's Miracle Network hospitals ("Discount City" 1). The local high school scholarship provided by Wal-Mart has greatly contributed to the community of Franklin and the dreams of one student in particular. Without this scholarship, a fellow classmate did not have the funding or the income to attend collage. This contribution not only allowed him to attend collage, but also to have the opportunity of a better life. Along with these gracious contributions, Wal-Mart also provides the youth of the area an opportunity for employment. In my hometown, there are approximately 10 available jobs for students looking for summer or evening work. Those that are not blessed with these minimum wage jobs are forced to rely on parent's income for their recreation. According to Johnston, Wal-Mart would bring 240 tax-paying jobs to a community (222). Because Wal-Mart is a 24-hour convenience store and hires mostly part-time employees, they are ideal for after school, and summer jobs for students. The opportunities Wal-Mart brings to the youth of the small town is only one way that this store strives to better the community. Wal-Mart is also actively involved in educating the community about recycling and other environmental topics and providing money and man power
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Approximate Word count = 1401
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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