Wal-Mart and Alpena Team Up
to Create a Comfortable
Shopping Experience
By Dudley Taliaferro

Wal-Mart recently approached the Alpena office for help on two wheelchairs that were in desperate need of repair. After the office had determined the two chairs were not worth fixing, Barb Wawrzyniak, a CSR in the Alpena office, suggested donating two wheelchairs to Wal-Mart as a courtesy. Michelle, the Alpena Manager for W&F, liked the idea and the plan was implemented. I contacted Mark, the local Wal-Mart manager and asked if they would like two wheelchairs with the W&F logo donated to the store. The store manager loved the idea; however, he would have to take the idea to their corporate headquarters to make sure it would be acceptable to have our logo on the backs. After all was approved, the entire Alpena staff went to work on getting the chairs ready before Christmas.
Wright & Filippis donated wheelchairs to the Wal-Mart
in Alpena.
Bob Madsen and Allen Campbell went to work on refurbishing the two chairs and I went to the local embroidery, Colorful Stitches, and had the logos stitched on the back of each chair. When I met with Wal-Mart on December 17, and told them the chairs were ready for delivery, they were amazed and greatly appreciated the donation - especially right before the biggest weekend of shopping. The wheelchairs were delivered on December 18 by Barb, Bob, and me.

"The customers who use the wheelchairs are very thankful for the new, clean, and working wheelchairs," said Mark, the Wal-Mart manager. "We would like to thank everyone at Wright and Filippis for their kindness."