Walmart Canada awards over $114,000 in scholarships to Canadian students

Forty-eight students coast-to-coast receive bursaries to colleges and universities

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada announced today it has awarded a total of $114,000 in bursaries to 48 students through the Walmart Canada Scholarship program. Applicants were evaluated based on academic achievement, financial need, extracurricular activities, community involvement and environmental stewardship. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has sponsored more than 900 university and college scholarships totalling $1.8 million.

The three scholarships offered are:

• Community Scholarship for graduating high school students. Valued at $4000 over four years.
• Associate Scholarship for associates and their children. Valued at $2,000 over one year.
• Lou Puim Memorial Scholarship for associates and their children pursuing a career in marketing or communications. Valued at $4,000 over four years.

"We are enormously proud of our scholarship winners this year," said John Lawrence, director of corporate social responsibility at Walmart Canada. "Each of the 48 award recipients could not be more deserving and we wish them great success in their studies."

According to a recent study commissioned by Walmart, which surveyed more than 2,000 Canadian moms, 50 per cent would like their children to attend a post-secondary institution. The study also indicated half of Canadian moms are worried their children will be burdened by debt and unable to complete their studies.

"Recognizing the importance of education, Walmart Canada awards a number of scholarships each year to help realize the academic dreams not only of students, but the associates working in our stores and their families," said Erin Mackey, manager of community involvement for Walmart Canada. "Our scholarship program is just one of our many programs which demonstrate Walmart's longstanding commitment to education and supporting Canadian families in need."

Walmart Canada has one of the strongest community involvement programs in. In 2011, the company donated and raised more than $25.3 million, $485,000 weekly, to charities and organizations in need.

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing network of more than 330 stores serving more than a million customers daily.  Visit walmartcsr.ca for more company information or follow Walmart Canada on Twitter @walmartcanada.

SOURCE: Walmart Canada

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