Walmart donates to 2 veteran programs
Walmart contributed $10,000 to the San Jacinto College Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success and $10,000 to Lee College’s veteran student programs. The donations are part of Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment program.
District 128 Texas Rep. Wayne Smith, a U.S. Army veteran, coordinated the two donations. He said San Jacinto College has dedicated veteran centers that provide many resources for military veterans. The centers help veterans apply for financial aid and can help veterans obtain education and training.
“I am proud that this local Walmart is reaching out and partnering with San Jacinto College in this worthy effort,” Smith said during a May 9 check presentation at the Walmart Supercenter, 9025 Spencer Highway. “It is a step in the right direction because it can help military veterans find successful careers after they have given so much back.”
In a news release, San Jacinto College South Campus veteran success coordinator Eugene Bernard said the donation will help meet some of the resource needs of the college system’s veteran centers and may help fulfill scholarships for its student veterans.
Bernard said the college hopes to use the funds to purchase 3-in-1 printers for each campus veteran center. “The centers provide complimentary printing to veteran students for printing required materials for their classes, as well as faxing and copying documents for the Department of Veteran Affairs, so industrial-size printers are ideal.”
The college will use any remaining funds for veteran student scholarships to help cover tuition and fees, and the cost of books and supplies of veterans who may not qualify for federal or state benefits aside from Veterans Affairs education benefits.
According to the college, 1,106 veteran students and their dependents used veteran education benefits to enroll for the past fall semester at San Jacinto College.
Walmart’s $10,000 donation to Lee College’s Veterans Center provided “a welcome boost,” according to a May 11 statement posted to the college’s Facebook page. Located in Baytown, the college’s veterans center supports area veterans seeking to further their education by awarding scholarships, providing access to peer tutoring, assisting with financial aid applications as well as linking veterans to social and career networks.
“The center currently serves about 400 studentveterans and their dependents. The center will use the $10,000 grant donation from Walmart to support its ongoing work to provide military veterans with the resources and assistance to be successful in their college careers and transition into the civilian workforce,” said Marti Covington, a college spokesperson, in an email. BBB honors pet food store with top award
Pet health food store Natural Pawz was recognized May 11 with the 2016 Pinnacle Award in the pet services category at the Houston Better Business Bureau’s 24th Awards for Excellence Luncheon.
The Houston BBB supports and recognizes businesses and nonprofits in greater Houston that meet specified, high standards of excellence and quality in the workplace. Natural Pawz started in the Houston area in 2005 and operates 16 locations in greater Houston, including a store at 2803 Business Center Drive, Suite 129, in Pearland. The company operates three other locations in Central Texas.
The recognition is an honor, said Biff Picone, coowner of Natural Pawz.
“Like the BBB, Natural Pawz has strict standards for ethical behavior, quality service and community involvement,” he said. “We are thrilled to be honored with the Pinnacle Award.”
The Pinnacle Award is the top recognition given by the Houston BBB each year, according to a news release. Natural Pawz joined the BBB in 2013 and received the Winner of Distinction Award in 2015. The pet food and supplies retailer maintains an A+ rating with the BBB.
For more information about the company, visit www.naturalpawz.com. Retailer debuts brand for full-figured women
JC Penney recently launched its first fashion brand designed for plussize women.
The brand, Boutique+ was created for shoppers looking for contemporary fashions, according to a company news release. Boutique+ is available in 500 stores nationwide, including stores at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood, Victory Lakes Town Center in League City, Fairmont Center in Pasadena, and The Crossing at 288 in Pearland.
JC Penney also partnered with “Project Runway” season 14 winner Ashley Nell Tipton who will serve as brand ambassador and design two capsule collections called “Ashley Nell Tipton for Boutique+” later this year.