Walmart Hosts 100,000 Veterans Hiring Launch Event

In celebration of Walmart’s launch on Memorial Day to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years, the company hosted its Saluting Heroes Together event with Operation Homefront on Saturday, June 1 in Fayetteville. This event is part of a nationwide series to help honor the brave men and women who have or are currently serving in our military and their families.

This event took place today at the Raeford Road Walmart supercenter. Lunch and giveaways were provided by Walmart and Sam’s Club suppliers, including Johnsonville’s World’s Largest Grill.

In January, Walmart announced that beginning Memorial Day_, the company will offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty through its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, and plans to hire more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years. Members from the Walmart People Division department will be on hand at the event to answer questions about the commitment.

“Walmart and the military are very similar when you look at the emphasis on teamwork and service as essential elements to success,” said Samuel Adams, a Raeford Walmart assistant manager and former member of the Army National Guard. “Those similarities made the transition easy for me, and as a former member of the military, I utilize the skills I learned in the service every day in my new role and know that other veterans do as well,” he added. “I’m grateful for the veterans’ hiring commitment because I believe it’s a win-win for our veterans and our company.”

“Operation Homefront is committed to supporting the families of our service members and wounded warriors in North and South Carolina and throughout the country,” said Holly Cummings, executive director, Operation Homefront - Carolinas.  “We are proud to continue our partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club, and are honored to take part in the Saluting Heroes Together events that will help strengthen community support for those who have served and sacrificed to provide opportunity for us.”

The company’s focus on supporting veterans extends beyond its hiring initiative. The Walmart Foundation has committed $20 million through 2015 to helping veterans and their families transition from the military into the civilian workforce through programs that provide job training, transition support and education.

In North Carolina, the foundation recently contributed $25,000 to Support Military Spouses’ Shoeboxes for Military Spouses Program and $40,000 to StepUp Ministries’ Well-Fed Families and Veterans Programs.