Wal-Mart top sponsor for PRIDE Spring Cleanup

April 10, 2008 10:35 am

— Special to the Times-Tribune
Wal-Mart helped kick off the 2008 PRIDE Spring Cleanup Saturday when Senior Public Affairs Manager Jason Wetzel presented a check for $8,000 to Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5), who founded PRIDE. The donation made Wal-Mart the exclusive Gold-Level Sponsor of the 2008 PRIDE Spring Cleanup, which runs through April 19.
“I appreciate Wal-Mart’s generosity and commitment to supporting volunteers and environmental stewardship,” Rogers said. “The Spring Cleanup has become a beloved tradition in our communities, and Wal-Mart’s support will help make this year’s event our most successful yet.
“PRIDE is restoring our region’s natural beauty because so many people and organizations choose to do their part,” Rogers added. “Wal-Mart’s sponsorship of the Spring Cleanup is a great example of the role good corporate citizens can play. This donation will ensure volunteers have the cleanup supplies they need and recognition they deserve for caring for our environment.”
“Wal-Mart strives to provide excellent service to our customers while serving as a good steward to the environment,” Wetzel said. “PRIDE has worked diligently to set high environmental standards in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and we are pleased to support its efforts through sponsoring the annual Spring Cleanup.
“The residents in this area have been long-time supporters of Wal-Mart and our associates welcome this opportunity to volunteer and help clean the roadways through this scenic part of the state,” Wetzel continued.
Wal-Mart’s presence in Kentucky includes 72 supercenters, 15 discount stores, 8 neighborhood markets, 7 Sam’s Clubs and 2 distribution centers. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in Kentucky, with more than 32,000 Kentuckians employed by Wal-Mart.
The PRIDE Spring Cleanup is a two-week campaign to recruit and equip volunteers to pick up trash across the 38 counties served by Eastern Kentucky PRIDE. Local governments organize the cleanup events, and PRIDE provides cleanup supplies, such as trash bags and gloves, as well as free T-shirts for the volunteers, while supplies last.
The 2008 PRIDE Spring Cleanup is made possible by Wal-Mart, the Gold-Level Sponsor, as well as Silver-Level Sponsors, which are Venture Corporation/Shelter-Pro, LLC and SouthEast Telephone Company, and Bronze-Level Sponsor Hinkle Contracting Corporation.
The nonprofit PRIDE organization promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” by encouraging and assisting communities with environmental cleanup and education projects. PRIDE was founded in 1997 by Rogers and the late James Bickford, Kentucky Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
To learn more about the PRIDE Spring Cleanup, visit www.kypride.org or call the PRIDE office, which is located at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, at 888-577-4339.

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