PALM HARBOR, Fla., Nov. 15, 2019 – This week, the Palm Harbor Neighborhood Market at 3400 E. Lake Road S. surprised Associate Melissa Finn with news that her recent act of kindness won the Walmart Associate Challenge. As a result, her selected nonprofit, Suncoast Animal League, is receiving a $10,000 grant from Walmart.
The unsuspecting associate and Rick Chaboudy, co-founder and executive director of Suncoast Animal League, were asked to come to the store prepared to make a video of their final pitch to Walmart.org in the hopes of receiving a grant in the coming weeks. However, the store manager was waiting for the opportunity to share that they had already won.
“This is extremely generous,” said Chaboudy. “We have a reputation of helping the very sick that need extreme medical procedures to survive. It’s expensive but because of this grant from Walmart, and support from our community, we are able to make it happen.”
The Walmart-wide challenge asked associates to share how they are sparking kindness in their communities using #SparkKindness and #Walmartassociatechallenge. Finn is one of only 12 associates across the country, and 25 worldwide, selected by Walmart.org.
Finn has been volunteering with the Suncoast Animal League, an animal welfare agency, for more than 13 years, fostering animals at first and later transitioning to volunteering in the office and helping coordinate some of the organization’s large fundraising efforts. In turn, she has devoted countless hours to the local nonprofit over the last decade to help care for domestics and wildlife.
“We’re so proud of Melissa’s commitment to support a cause that is important to her and this community,” said Michael Musumeche, store manager for the Palm Harbor Walmart Neighborhood Market. “As a store, we partner with various nonprofits throughout the community to help people right here in Palm Harbor and Pinellas County live better. Our associates also volunteer in a variety of ways to support those causes near and dear to their hearts. Melissa’s efforts are a great example of what our associates are doing right here in this community.”
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, we work to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or find us on Twitter @walmartorg.
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