Chamber of Commerce

ask for a better location. It's made this a key center. Be- ing in Cumberland County and the surrounding area has provided us with a competitive advantage." Baldwin said the Hope Mills facility was the company's fifth-highest producing center in the nation. "That's something we're incredibly proud of," he said. "We came here and immediately got good workers. Our retention rate is one of the lowest in the heavy freight lifting business." Giving back to the community is also a responsibility the com- pany takes seriously. "I couldn't tell you how many times we've been in conference call meet- ings and we get asked what are we going to do about one project or the other," he said. "This is such a genuinely good company that cares about community. We not only want to give our customers the lowest prices, we want to be a part of what they do. We have many good people who are doing wonderful projects for others." each and every Chavonne said a few of the things Wal-Mart has done include: provided funds and merchandise for the Police Department's Community Empowerment Day in the at-risk Bonnie Doone community; sponsored an educational program at the Clark Park Nature Center and participated in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. And that's only a speck in the universe for all that Wal-Mart has done in this area. During the winter holiday, the distribution center em- ployees and managers helped the Angel Tree Network provide Christmas gifts for children in the Cumber- land County area. About 49 angels were placed on the Christmas tree and all were filled to the brim. During the Dancing with the Fayetteville Stars fund- raiser for the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development, 58 Wal-Mart associates and managers gave 254 volunteer hours. More than 121 associates and managers participated in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk, with 446 volunteer hours being donated. Their footwork raised $7,000.00 for cancer research. About 259 associ- ates and managers participated with 259 volunteer hours to raise $7,400 during the American Heart As- sociation's Heart Walk. Company volunteers organized the second annual Children's Miracle Network Car show that fetched more than $10,000. Victory Junction, which provides a camp experience for children with health problems, received more than $8,000 when the Distribution Center's workers conducted a car wash and hot dog sale. About $13,000 was raised through Volunteerism Always Pays and $146,604 in food and basic necessities was donated to the homeless and hungry through The Second Harvest Food Bank in 2010. In addition, Wal-Mart has pro- vided $40,000 in community grants to various organizations. them because they are the right things to do. As a result it's a model corporation. Yes, they've created many jobs but it's often the things they do that are unseen that impress me the most." Doug Peters, president and CEO of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Chamber lauds Wal-Mart and Baldwin. "Mike is a guy who leads by example," he said. "The center is well run and an absolutely outstanding organiza- tion. They do things without fanfare. They do Brandon Plotnick, marketing and communications coor- dinator for the Chamber, agreed with Baldwin. "While the biggest thing may be the sheer number of jobs and dollars they bring to the area, they have brought in an extremely high level of community involvement," Plot- nick said. "They have been someone we could count on anytime we ask for participation or involvement." www.FayettevilleNCChamber.org | 25

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