Five SIFE Teams Named Finalists for Sam's Club(R) & SIFE Environmental Sustainability Challenge

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Five Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) teams from across the country were recently named as finalists in the national Sam's Club & SIFE Environmental Sustainability Challenge. The schools each received $1,000 and competed in Bentonville, Ark. for the grand prize of $5,000. The top three winners will be announced at the National SIFE Exposition May 11-13 in Minneapolis.

The five teams reaching the final round include William Jewell College, Texas A&M International University, Lorain County Community College, the University of St. Thomas and Anderson University.

In November 2008, Sam's Club announced the Sam's Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge to complement its long standing relationship with SIFE USA.  This event provides an opportunity for SIFE teams and Sam's Club Associates to work together while improving the environmental sustainability of small business owners.

The SIFE teams are judged on the effectiveness of the economic opportunity created by their projects in helping businesses make more sustainable decisions.

"These students will be tomorrow's business leaders, and we are pleased to work with SIFE to create an opportunity for them to learn valuable lessons about small business ownership," says Catherine Corley, Sam's Club Vice President and Challenge judge. "The Sam's Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge is critically important to connect students with current businesses so they can experience real world challenges that business owners face every day through the lens of environmental sustainability. We were very impressed with the projects and successes of each group."

Each team worked with businesses in the surrounding community to better equip them with environmentally friendly features. The SIFE team was able to purchase most of the sustainable products from Sam's Club and provide the businesses with tips for sustainable business practices.

This year is the second of the Sam's Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge. Both William Jewell College and Anderson University reached the final round of competition last year and Anderson University was ultimately named the winner.

For more information on each of the SIFE Challenge finalists visit samsclub.com/smallbusiness or SIFE.org/sams.

About Sam's Club

Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT). The first Sam's Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam's Club serves more than 47 million U.S. members with locations nationwide, as well as in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam's Club saves its members on average 30.4 percent over grocery and specialty retailers by offering superior values on quality merchandise and services for home or work. Saving is made simple at Sam's Club. Visit samsclub.com for more information.

SOURCE Sam's Club