Walmart is already making impact in D.C.
Re: “D.C. residents turn a wary eye to Walmart’s job promises,” Aug. 2
It’s unfortunate that The Washington Examiner continues to provide its readers with an incomplete picture of Walmart’s commitment to the District. We’ve spent the better part of two years talking to the communities where we plan to do business, participating in more than 200 meetings and forums across four different wards.
Neighborhood residents told us that they want good jobs and more affordable food options.We also heard about issues like local hiring, an inclusive building and construction process, local products and support for the community programs and initiatives that are making a difference.
After spending time listening, we thought it was important to document what we heard in order to reinforce our commitment to the city.Our Community Partnership Initiative was voluntary and unprecedented. Although our first store won’t open until the end of 2013, we’re not waiting to make an impact.
Already Walmart has:
• Worked with the Department of Employment Services to identify potential locations for our hiring centers and pre-screen prospective employees from among their database.
• Created a work force development program — “Washington at Work” — and pledged more than $3 million to help train 2,000 residents over a three-year period. Our partners include the Community College of the District of Columbia and the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. D.C. residents are already receiving services and some have even been placed in new jobs.
• Partnered with the Department of Small and Local Business Development to host a contractor fair for District-based businesses interested in working as subcontractors on the Georgia-Missouri Avenues store.This effort will help us achieve our goal of 35 percent CBE participation at this store site.
• Contributed more than $5 million over the past two years in support of local nonprofits that are addressing the issues of hunger, health and wellness, work force development and sustainability.
We’re proud of our contributions to date and look forward to making an even bigger impact as we get closer to opening our first store in D.C.
Steven Restivo
Senior director of community affairs,
Walmart
Lewis did win his 100-meter gold medal
Re: “Unlike Lewis, Bolt actually won his two gold medals,” From Readers, Aug. 8
As a huge track and field fan, I need to correct Cargill Kelly. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Carl Lewis did win the 100-meter gold medal, along with his 1984 gold medal. Lewis trained and competed just like the other athletes in the race. Track athletes are not awarded a gold medal in the 100-meter dash unless they participate in the race and cross the finish line.
Ben Johnson, the temporary winner, was caught cheating and not only stripped of his Olympic gold medal, but also stripped of his 1987 World Championship gold as well as all of his world records for using a steroid used for animals.
Chris Smith
Alexandria
