Give me a squiggly! Michiganders who love Wal-Mart!

NEWS RELEASE

WORKING FAMILIES FOR WAL-MART

********************* Working Families for Wal-Mart announces Michigan steering committee

Roster of community leaders expands to include third major city

DETROIT, July 7 - Working Families for Wal-Mart (WFWM), a national organization with more than 120,000 volunteer members dedicated to getting the truth out about Wal- Mart's positive contributions to working families today announced the formation of its Michigan steering committee.

This group of Michigan community and faith-based leaders will add their voice to the national discussion and lead efforts in the Great Lake State.

"We are privileged to enlist support from community leaders in Michigan who know the positive impact Wal-Mart has on the lives of working families," said Ambassador Andrew Young, WFWM National Steering Committee chairman. "Wal-Mart is generating wealth and savings in neighborhoods that other retailers ignore. Last year Wal-Mart created tens of thousands of needed jobs in underprivileged areas, saved the average American family $2,300, and gave back more than $200 million to local communities. The story of Wal-Mart's positive impact to millions of working families is one that needs to be heard."

Give me a squiggly!

The Michigan steering committee members met in June in Dearborn to discuss the organization's direction and share their Wal-Mart experiences.

"Wal-Mart has created positive change by giving back to Michigan's communities," said Joel Jacob, president and founder of The Bottle Crew, a Michigan company that manufactures spray bottles. "Wal-Mart donated millions of dollars to local food banks and built a sporting field for Detroit's Miracle League, a league for children with disabilities. I am proud to support a company that cares about the people it serves."

This diverse group of community leaders came together as part of WFWM's ongoing effort to give voice to the millions of Americans who share the belief that Wal-Mart contributes positively to working families.

The organization is encouraging increased grassroots engagement across the country through both local organizing efforts and online recruitment via its Web site, http://www.forwalmart.com

Today's announcement follows the formation of the National, Colorado and Georgia steering committees announced earlier this year.

Steering committee members come from a variety of backgrounds and communities.

They are customers, business leaders, activists, civic leaders and many others with first-hand knowledge of Wal-Mart's positive contributions.

They make their homes throughout the state of Michigan.

Facts about Wal-Mart

Quality Jobs: Wal-Mart created thousands of jobs last year nationwide and currently employs more than 29,000 associates in the state of Michigan. The average hourly associate is paid nearly twice the federal minimum wage and can become eligible for health insurance for as little as $23 per month anywhere in the country, with monthly premiums as low as $11 in some areas. Additionally, Wal-Mart paid more than $38.9 million in state and local taxes in the state of Michigan in 2005.

Consumer Savings: An independent study conducted by Global Insight in 2005 found that Wal-Mart saved each American household on average $2,329 in 2004 even if they did not shop at Wal-Mart.

Local Charitable Giving: Wal-Mart gave over $3.8 million to local causes and organizations in Michigan during 2004, and $200 million nationwide.

Meet the members of the Michigan steering committee

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