Walmart Foundation Strengthens Commitment to Veterans Career Opportunities Through $1 Million Grant to Hire Heroes USA
June 27 2017 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine joins Walmart and
Hire Heroes USA on Capitol Hill to honor nation’s veterans
Ahead of Independence Day, the Walmart Foundation takes another
step in its commitment to veterans by announcing a $1 million grant
to Hire Heroes USA, supporting their efforts to help more veterans
find meaningful employment. The national nonprofit is the
preeminent organization providing essential career services to
transitioning U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses
across the United States and around the world.
The $1 million grant comes as Hire Heroes USA continues its
substantial impact on the veteran space, including a recent string
of record-setting weeks for clients hired, and the launch of a new
job board and virtual career fairs - reinforcing the nonprofit as a
top resource for veterans and the companies that want to hire
them.
“Veterans have unique and valued skill sets, such as leadership,
creativity and problem solving, making them highly marketable job
candidates,” said Brian Stann, president and CEO of Hire Heroes USA
and a Marine Corps combat veteran. “Support from organizations like
the Walmart Foundation make it possible for us to continue to lead
the way in veteran hiring through innovation, focus and hard work.
We’ve seen a 20 percent increase in veterans seeking our services
this year alone, so the impact of this grant is immediate and
far-reaching. Our 17,000 hires to date have generated an estimated
economic impact of $205 million in the veteran space, but we know
our work isn’t done.”
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, in 2016, more than
200,000 men and women serving in the military transitioned to
civilian life, and many find it difficult to navigate multiple
agencies offering job placement and other services. In the same
year, there were more than 450,000 unemployed veterans in the
United States, 40 percent of who were between the ages of 18 to 44,
according to the Department of Labor.
“As the backbone of our nation, veterans are highly valuable to
civilian employers,” said Retired Brigadier General Gary Profit,
senior director of military programs at Walmart. “The Walmart
Foundation is proud to stand behind Hire Heroes USA to celebrate
the work they do for our local communities and workforces.”
The grant will be announced at an interactive dessert reception
hosted by Walmart on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Walmart and
Hire Heroes USA will be joined by Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine who
will speak to the need to support veterans transitioning to
civilian careers and will engage with senators, congressional staff
and other attendees by leading dessert station challenges and
serving as an emcee during the reception.
“After 10 years of service, I understand first-hand how
important veterans and military service members are to society and
have made it my personal mission to give back to them and their
families in every way I can,” said Chef Robert Irvine, host of Food
Network’s Restaurant Impossible. “Partnerships between
organizations like the Walmart Foundation and Hire Heroes USA
inspire community support for the men and women who defended, or
are currently defending, our freedom at home and abroad.”
Chef Irvine established the Robert Irvine Foundation to support
military personnel and their families. In recent years he was
honored with two very distinguished recognitions for his dedication
to the armed services and our country’s heroes. He was first
designated Honorary Chief Petty Officer by the U.S. Navy, and later
that year awarded the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in
Entertainment and Support of our Service Members – bestowed upon
him by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Continuing his
support of the military, Irvine recently became the first celebrity
chef to open a restaurant, aptly named Chef Robert Irvine’s Fresh
Kitchen, at the Pentagon in the fall of 2016.
For more information about Walmart’s commitment to veterans,
service members and military families, please visit:
http://www.walmartcareerswithamission.com/ or
http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/veterans-military-families/
and follow on Twitter @WalmartToday.
About Philanthropy at
Walmart
By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart
Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every
day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3
million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers
who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart and the Walmart
Foundation are helping people live better by accelerating upward
job mobility for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making
healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building
strong communities where we operate. We are not only working to
tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to
inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more
about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.
About Hire Heroes USA
Headquartered in the Atlanta metro area, in Alpharetta, Ga.,
with seven additional branch offices around the country, Hire
Heroes USA is a Charity Navigator 4-Star rated national nonprofit
that provides consistently effective, individualized career
coaching services to transitioning military members, veterans and
military spouses with an uncompromising focus on results. For more
information about our mission, our services, and how to get
involved as a corporate partner, employment partner, donor, or
volunteer, please visit us online
at hireheroesusa.org and follow us
on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
and Instagram.
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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.Blair Cromwell,
1-800-331-0085news.walmart.com/reporter
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