Sam’s Club Giving Made Simple Campaign Highlights Wellness, Pledges $2 Million

Sam's Club announced that it is raising public awareness of health and wellness issues and pledging up to $2 million to four health-focused nonprofits through its 2011 Giving Made Simple campaign.

Beyond raising awareness, the 2011 Giving Made Simple campaign allows Sam's Club members and associates to direct a portion of the company's donations to four health-related nonprofit organizations. Members and associates can vote in clubs July 9 and 10, and online every day beginning July 5 at SamsClub.com/givingmadesimple and on facebook.com/samsclub through Aug. 1, 2011. In addition, clubs will offer free children's health and ID screenings on July 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We are a pioneer and believer in consumer-directed giving. As a membership warehouse club, members guide our every decision and we want them to have a role in how we give back, too," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, Senior Vice President, Sam's Club Health and Wellness.

"This year, we are focusing our annual Giving Made Simple campaign on health and wellness and prevention of chronic disease, which we know is a top concern for everyone," she said. "We are proud that we can direct our philanthropy to make communities healthier and combine our giving with business initiatives such as $4 generic prescriptions, free monthly health screenings in clubs, health management programs and more."

Donations Benefit Four Nonprofit Organizations

In this year's Giving Made Simple campaign, each member and associate vote adds $5 to the amount a designated participating organization receives. The health and wellness and prevention of chronic disease organizations will each receive a minimum of $50,000 and could receive up to $500,000 apiece, based on member and associate voting.

The four participating organizations and their plans for the donations include:

·       Alliance for a Healthier Generation will transform more than 1,600 schools into healthier places where physical activity and healthy eating options are available before, during and after school.

·       OASIS will engage more than 50,000 people nationwide who are age 50 in active lifestyles to keep them healthy and well.

·       Sesame Street will help establish healthy habits, including oral preventive care practices, in nearly one million parents and at-risk children.

·       The Y will mobilize communities to ensure that healthy food options, safe places for physical activity, and effective chronic disease prevention programs are accessible to all.