The YMCA Takes the Lead Among Education Charities in the Battle for a $1 Million Grant From Sam's Club(R)

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sam's Club launched its "Giving Made Simple" online voting program two weeks ago and today, the mid-point of the campaign, announces key voter participation milestones. The first-of-its-kind campaign for the warehouse club industry, has successfully utilized Facebook and Twitter to drive member engagement to determine how the company will distribute $4 million in grants to education and entrepreneurship-focused charities.

Since the launch of Giving Made Simple, Junior Achievement has led the education category, but after an official count of the majority of votes submitted by members in Sam's Club locations nationwide earlier this month, the YMCA has moved from third place to first and eligible for a $1 million grant. Junior Achievement currently holds the second place position which would earn it a $500,000 grant. The shuffling has resulted in Girls Inc. slipping back into the third place position while the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship is in fourth place.

The other top vote getter currently positioned to receive a $1 million grant in the entrepreneurship category is Kiva. However, the Community Resource Fund (CRF) moves up from fourth place to second. Accion USA moves to third place with the Corporation for Enterprise Development not far behind in fourth place.  

To date, more than 80,000 Sam's Club members and associates have voted for their preferred organization on samsclub.com/giving, on Facebook and during a one day in-club event where members and associates cast ballots. The campaign has captured the attention of more than 350,000 followers of the eight participating organizations and Sam's Club on Twitter, and more than 30,000 fans on Facebook.

On Friday, April 16, the general public was invited to show their support for their favorite charity via Twitter, which resulted in thousands of messages posted to @samsclub.  Kiva and Junior Achievement won this Twitter "double points" event and doubled their Sam's Club member votes for the day. The new voting totals have been updated on samsclub.com/giving, as well as Facebook to reflect the recent activity.

Sam's Club will host a Twitter party for the charities at 12:30 CT on Tuesday, April 27, and on Friday, April 30, non-members can cheer on their favorite organization via Twitter as part of another double points event. For additional information on this special double points day, please visit samsclub.com/giving, or on Twitter @samsclub.  

Sam's Club members and associates can vote once a day for the duration of the campaign, and may vote for the same or different organization each time. These votes will determine what portion of the $4 million donation the organizations will receive. The organization in each category – education and entrepreneurship – that earns the most votes will receive $1 million for first place; $500,000 for second place; and $250,000 for third and fourth place.

The following organizations are participating in Giving Made Simple:

The last day of voting is May 2, 2010 and the winners of the campaign will be announced on May 4. For additional details and regular updates on Giving Made Simple, visit samsclub.com/giving or join Sam's Club on Facebook or on Twitter at @samsclub.

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.

Sam's Club Charitable Giving Programs

Giving Made Simple is a new addition to a long history of charitable contributions made by Sam's Club at both the national and local level. Last year, Sam's Club associates logged more than 113,879 hours to the company's Volunteerism Always Pays grant program, which resulted in $948,000 worth of charitable grants to education, workforce development, environmental and health and wellness focused organizations. Sam's Club also donated more than 38 million pounds of food last year to U.S. food banks through Walmart's partnership with Feeding America; and participates in disaster assistance, events such as the Salvation Army Red Kettle Holiday Drive as well as Children's Miracle Network fundraising.

SOURCE Sam's Club