$580,000 Contribution to Celebrate Sam's Club 25th Anniversary

Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Awards Announced in North Carolina

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence today announced a first of its kind joint initiative to champion women entrepreneurs nationwide. In celebration of Sam's Club 25th anniversary, the Wal-Mart Foundation will make a $580,000 donation to Count Me In, the leading national nonprofit provider of business resources and community support for women entrepreneurs building and growing their businesses. In these tough economic times, Sam's Club is joining with Count Me In to recognize the innovation and job creation potential of small businesses and heighten women entrepreneurs' role in the nation's economy.

'We are thrilled to be partnering with Sam's Club to support the growth of more women entrepreneurs across the country. By creating new jobs and generating revenue, these women are the backbone of their communities and the national economy,' said Count Me In's Founder and CEO, Nell Merlino.

More than ten million women own businesses in the United States, yet 79% of them report revenues below $50,000. With this commitment from Sam's Club, Count Me In will be able to expand its program to include women owned businesses with revenue sales below $50,000 up to $500,000. To launch the partnership, Count Me In will provide direct resources to assist 625 women through its business growth programs. Twenty five women business owners from around the country will receive a Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Award Tuesday, Oct. 7 in Charlotte, NC at Count Me In's Make Mine a Million $ Business(TM) event. The remaining 600 women will be announced soon.

The Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Award winners were selected based on their business profiles, their commitment to community and their personal development. Awardees will receive one-year of paid professional business coaching, free access to Count Me In's educational resources and seminars (valued at over $7,000.00), and a Sam's Club Business Membership, made through a separate donation from Sam's Club.