Events

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Earlier today, Retailing Today reported that several apparel and footwear industry heavyweights were teaming up to promote best practices in sustainability, and now Payless has announced that it will support eco-model and Payless brand partner Summer Rayne Oakes who will wear the same little black dress throughout the month of March.

The Shops at Wiregrass, in Wesley Chapel, Fla., partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host a Battle of the Bands event in an effort to raise money to fight blood cancer.

Held Saturday, Feb. 19, the event featured four stages of live music and performances by 24 local bands. Two more fundraising events are planned -- a parade celebration on March 12 and a golf tournament on April 1.

The Shops at Wiregrass, a Forest City Enterprises property, is a pedestrian lifestyle village featuring shopping, dining and entertainment options.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

The program will get underway in Houston on March 5, and continue in Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said it will present more than $1.5 million to nonprofits in six U.S. communities, thanks to Facebook users' help with the retailer's commitment to fight hunger through 2015.

Walmart's Fighting Hunger Together campaign called on Facebook users to go to Walmart.com/fighthunger and "like" one of the 100 hungriest communities in the United States, as ranked by the Food Research and Action Center. More than 10 million votes were cast during the campaign, which ran from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us is kicking off an in-store fundraising campaign to benefit North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization.

Now through April 30, monetary donations will be collected at all Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores and online to benefit Autism Speaks.

Some spring fashion excitement is on tap for Target stores beginning March 13 when the company celebrates the fifth anniversary of its GO International designer program. Plans call for a collection of 34 dresses from 17 designers who participated in the GO International affordably priced fashion program over the past five years. The limited-edition assortment will be in most Target stores through April 10.

BENTONVILLE, Ark.  -- Walmart announced a new relationship with NASCAR to give Walmart customers and race fans new NASCAR branded merchandise and special savings on race tickets available on Walmart.com/NASCAR for select races.  The new retail program, branded "Race Time", is the largest retail promotion in NASCAR's history, according to Walmart, and launches in 1,500 Walmart stores just in time for the start of the season with the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 (FOX, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. ET).

CINCINNATI — Kroger said it is kicking off a year-long initiative to raise funds for armed forces members in partnership with the USO, the leading organization for morale-boosting programs and services for American troops and their families.

Kroger said the campaign will include in-store and online promotions and a text-to-give campaign that encourages Kroger customers to text "USO" to 27722 during the race to donate $10 to USO programs.