AUSTIN, Texas — Walmart is spotlighting 25 associates from around the world for their efforts outside of work that strengthen their local communities. Of a dozen employees recognized in the United States, one lives in the Lone Star State.
- 25 Walmart associates recognized globally
- Only 1 was from Texas
Irene Garcia, an associate who works at a North Austin store, was inspired by her personal experience growing up in the foster care system to let other children in need know they are not alone.
The company issued a challenge to its associates at 11,000 locations around the globe to share on social media how they spark kindness in the places they live and work, while encouraging others to do the same.
Garcia, a customer service manager for the retailer, volunteers and fundraises for the nonprofit Together We Rise. Its mission is to help improve the lives of children in foster care, who often feel forgotten or neglected.
The 23-year-old remembers how she felt she needed to be a parent to her own siblings.
“It gives them the opportunity to be a kid, because I know a lot of them it’s hard to just be a kid, when you’re going through so much,” Garcia said.
Among several programs, one resource the organization provides to children are sweet cases, a duffel bag of essentials that can comfort them as they travel from home to home. Oftentimes children in foster care have to use trash bags.
“It makes me really happy that I have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives, even though I don’t know them, even though I don’t know their story, because I can relate to it. I remember when I got something from an organization I was really happy and I was very grateful. For them to kind of receive these things, I think it makes them really happy, like really excited that they have things of their own,” Garcia said.
Garcia raises money and designs these cases for foster children. Each case has a blanket, crayons, coloring books, and a stuffed animal.
“I do remember when I was taken away from my mom, I was given a teddy bear by the police. I did have it and I love that teddy bear. Even now I still love teddy bears. It’s just a teddy bear, but it still made me happy,” Garcia said.
Walmart officials said the associates who demonstrated the most creative approaches to the challenge would work with the company to nominate a group to receive a $10,000 grant. Garcia, a native of California, will be using those funds to help Calicinto Ranch in San Jacinto. The nonprofit works to break the cycle of at-risk youth of incarcerated parents. Garcia visited the summer camp when she was a child, and later became a mentor there.
“Because of this organization, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Because this organization provided me with summer camps, provided me with leadership skills, they gave me the opportunity, to grow,” Garcia said.