CCU receives donation from Wal-Mart
Area Wal-Mart stores pooled together the cash donation and store managers presented it to DeCenzo in front of the Wal-Mart store on U.S. 501 South near the CCU campus. The contribution will be deposited into a fund of the Coastal Educational Foundation (CEF) to benefit students.
"CCU is continuing to grow, and we want to help," said Lacey Bingle, store manager.
DeCenzo also received a $250 donation from the local Snyder's-Lance Inc. distributor, which will also benefit students through the CEF.
The check presentation took place during an event featuring various vendors, including Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Coppertone and Snyder's-Lance. Shoppers, including many CCU students and families, received free food and drinks, and raffle tickets were sold for various items including a refrigerator, microwave, printer, CCU baseball tickets and Wal-Mart gift cards. Chauncey, CCU's mascot, was also on-hand to greet visitors and distribute CCU merchandise.
"We wanted to have a big 'welcome back' party," said Bingle. "We wanted to show our support for the college and its great students."
Wal-Mart is a valued corporate partner of CCU. The company provides students with affordable supplies and resources, and also donated $25,000 to CCU's Women in Philanthropy and Leadership through the Wal-Mart Foundation in September 2011.
"We're fortunate to have this relationship with Wal-Mart," said DeCenzo. "Events like this are a good opportunity for us to engage with community members who support CCU throughout the year. We can't thank Wal-Mart enough for their donation, and their devotion to CCU."