Shoppers who visit Walmart this August will have an opportunity to help support the Canadian Red Cross in its disaster preparedness and response activities.
The campaign will run across Canada in Walmart stores from August 1 to 25. The goal is $3 million, of which over $700,000 are matching funds from Walmart.
At the Walmart checkout, associates will give customers the opportunity to make a donation to support the work of the Canadian Red Cross in communities across the country. Walmart will match these donations up to $2,000 per store.
"WalMart is our national partner when it comes to disaster management," said George Barker, Weyburn / Estevan Community Outreach Coordinator for the Red Cross.
Barker noted that the funds raised in Saskatchewan will stay in Saskatchewan. Anyone who wishes to donate specifically to, for example, the Alberta flood relief efforts, should send funds directly to the Red Cross earmarked as such.
"Everybody is responsible for themselves for the first 72 hours of the emergency," said Barker, noting that Red Cross is an agency to help people get through disasters, but it does not provide first response services.
Barker suggests each household have its own emergency kit, which can be put together or purchased directly from the Red Cross.
