Walmart presents $22,670 to Special Olympics

[April 15, 2011]  Thursday morning Joanie Keyes, area director of Special Olympics Illinois' Central Area 10, stopped in at the Lincoln Walmart Supercenter to pick up a huge check for Special Olympics.

The Walmart Sparks Polar Plunge team this year consisted of 29 members who collectively raised $11,335 for Special Olympics. In addition, the corporate office in Bentonville, Ark., offered a 100 percent match and turned that $11,335 into $22,670.

The Walmart Sparks team was the top money-raiser for the fundraiser March 19 at Lincoln Lakes in Lincoln.

Walmart was also a main sponsor of the event, along with the Knights of Columbus, and donated all the food for the after-plunge party.

On hand for the presentation of the check were store manager Cody Adkins and several Walmart associates, including Becky Rybolt and Susan Steichen, who played a large role in motivating the Sparks to raise funds and also to take the plunge at Lincoln Lakes.

To commemorate the day there was also a special cake prepared by the Walmart bakery and decorator Deb Bell.

After the presentation of the check, Keyes spoke briefly, expressing the appreciation of Special Olympics of Illinois.

She reminded the group of the purpose of the program. She said Special Olympics provide special-needs children and adults with "opportunities they would never have and memories they will never forget."

Adkins also spoke briefly, saying that the Special Olympics program is a special program for Walmart. He noted that there are associates at the Lincoln Walmart who benefit from Special Olympics. In supporting the program, the company and associates are also supporting members of their own Walmart family.

In an email news release, Keyes also praised Rybolt for all she has done for Special Olympics:

"Wal-Mart manager Becky Rybolt received the top honors for the most money raised by an Individual at $6,725.00!

"Becky and her husband go above and beyond their participation in the Polar Plunge, they are coaches for one of the Local Lincoln Special Olympic Basketball Teams and track team.

"Special Olympics Illinois greatly appreciates their involvement and support and hopes that other Wal-Mart Stores use them as an example and follow suit in making a positive impact in their community for individuals with intellectual disabilities."

Keyes' email concluded:

"Wal-Mart deserves all the recognition we can give them. What a great thing they did as a ‘team' and they had fun don't it! They were Freezin' for a Reason!"

[By NILA SMITH]

From the LDN archives

• Polar Plunge pictures
  (Album includes the Walmart team)