Cause Marketing/ Community Programs

SEATTLE — Walmart announced that ihas been selected as one of the Washington Green 50 list by Seattle Business Magazine as part of its annual Green Washington Awards competition. Walmart was a finalist in the retail category.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's announced that for the 2011 to 2012 school year it will donate more than $4 million to support education. 

Through its Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, the company is providing funds for school systems across America through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants; Teach for America; Project L.I.F.T; Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Lowe’s Scholarships and Carl Buchan Scholarships.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless announced that it is supporting breast cancer awareness with the sale of a special earring set. Sales from the earrings, which cost $2 and are available in stores and online, will go toward helping Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.  

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea announced that on Oct. 1, its U.S. stores will give away free tree seedlings through its partnership with American Forests. Ikea has been partnering with American Forests since 1998, and through their "Plant a Tree" campaign, they have raised $1.9 million dollars to plant 1.9 million trees.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. —  BJ's Wholesale Club announced that it is partnering with 13 of the country's leading cancer centers to host picnic luncheons to educate guests about breast cancer. This is the sixth year BJ's is hosting these "Pink Picnic" events, which will feature a doctor or specialist from a partner hospital and an inspirational speaker, who will share her experience with the disease, the company reported.

ATLANTA — Home Depot announced that it has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity International for a new joint program, Repair Corps, to remodel and renovate the homes of U.S. military veterans. With $1.5 million in funding from The Home Depot Foundation, volunteer assistance from Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force, and technical assistance from Habitat for Humanity International, the goal of Repair Corps is to provide Habitat affiliates across the country with the resources to repair the homes of nearly 100 veterans and their families.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the grocer announced Monday.

"We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health."

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool announced it has been named to the 2011/2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the seventh consecutive year. In 2011, the company's centennial year, Whirlpool was named to both the World and North America lists. The DJSI tracks the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea demonstrated the retail industry's commitment to the environment and sustainability by taking part in Climate Week, which is taking place in New York City this week. Ikea U.S. president Mike Ward was part of a 6-person sustainability panel held at 7 World Trade Center on Sept 19. Others on the panel included NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and former British prime minister Tony Blair.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Gap Inc. announced that its Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement program was recognized by former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative, held in New York City.  Bob Fisher, son of Gap Inc. founders Doris and Don Fisher and a Gap Inc. board member, accepted the honor on behalf of the company.