Wal-Mart continues to extend a helping hand to those in need. One of their foremost advocacies is education. The Wal-Mart Foundation has been continually helping the cause of better education. Just recently, the company’s foundation raised millions of dollars to aid deserving students from around the United States. To offset the rising cost of tuition, $8 million worth of funds have been allotted for college scholarships to somehow help lessen the burden of college-bound students. This was through their Sam Walton Community Scholarship.

The scholarships will provide awardees with $3,000 worth of academic assistance to use for tuition, fees, books, and on-campus room and board for the 2009-2010 academic year. This endowment is especially meaningful because it comes at a time when the financial crunch greatly affects university aides and scholarship funds, and the projected financial aid grants by colleges are expected to decrease by 20%.

Recipients of the scholarship are students who possess excellent academic scores and have shown great involvement in their communities. The foundation has granted scholarships to students from all 50 states and even in other countries such as Puerto Rico.

The Walton’s continuing assistance to those who deserve it ensures that the legacy Sam Walton started will find fulfillment in securing a brighter future for today’s youth. Sam Walton’s daughter, Alice Walton, continues her father’s legacy in giving by sponsoring Camp War Eagle, a Christian nature camp dedicated to building self-empowerment skills to underprivileged children. Alice Walton is also building art education through the Crystal Bridges Museum.