Walmart salutes service members, families in Heroes & Headliners concert
On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, Walmart is celebrating the military community with a star-studded concert for veterans and their families. The first Heroes & Headliners concert features musical acts Chris Stapleton, H.E.R. and Imagine Dragons with Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek serving as emcees. Customers will be able to stream the sold-out concert live on Walmart.com/Live, Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube.
Held at Tampa’s MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater, Heroes & Headliners will also highlight donations of up to $4 million for veteran organizations from Walmart, its customers and the Walmart Foundation.
“Walmart has a rich history of supporting the military, dating back to our first veteran associate, Sam Walton,” said John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. “Like him, our American military community and their families have ensured the fabric of our freedom, and we’re forever grateful for their sacrifice and service.”
[Read more: Pharmacy Innovator of the Year 2021: Walmart connects with communities]
The company supports its military community through four pillars: employment, education, entrepreneurship and well-being. Since 2021, Walmart has engaged more than 2 million veterans and military spouses, hiring more than half a million military community members. During the past decade, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have invested more than $44 million, helping those in the military community and their loved ones.
This year, Walmart, along with its customers, are expanding its appreciation of veterans coast-to-coast by donating up to $4 million cumulatively across multiple veteran-supporting organizations. Giving initiatives include:
Spark Good Veterans Round Up: From Oct. 23 - Nov. 30, Walmart will match donations 2:1 when customers Round Up to donate to any participating veteran service charitable organization, including Operation Homefront, up to $2M, at checkout on Walmart.com or in the app, for up to $3M in total giving. Find a local veterans’ organization here.
Wreaths Across America: Building on the company’s longtime support of Wreaths Across America, Walmart has awarded a $750,000 grant to support the organization’s mission to honor those who have served over the next five years.
Institute for Veterans and Military Families: As part of its continued relationship with the organization Walmart is donating $750,000 to support veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship.
Local Tampa Bay Veteran Service Organizations: On the local level Walmart has dedicated $250,000 to Florida area Veteran organizations including:
- New Beginnings for Veterans (Tampa, Fla.): addresses homelessness within military community.
- Hope for the Warriors HOPE (Offices in Fla.): supports transition from service, H&W and connection to community resources.
- Fisher House (Tampa VA hospital): builds comfort homes at military and VA medical centers.
- Fire Watch Project Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.): focuses on Florida’s fight to end veteran suicide.
- Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation (Tampa, Fla.): helps transitioning service members and military spouses develop professional network for employment placement.
For more information about Walmart’s commitment to veterans, service members and military families, please visit online here.
[Related: Walmart, Elton John AIDS Foundation partner to help end HIV/AIDS epidemic]