MASSACHUSETTS WAL-MART DONATES NEW COMPUTERS TO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AFTER COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM THE CLUB IN NOVEMBER http://www.townonline.com/somerville/homepage/8998994710114598911

In response to a burglary that took place Thanksgiving weekend at the Somerville Boys and Girls Club, one Somerville native and Wal-Mart employee stepped in to make a difference.

As a result, Wal-Mart recently replaced the four computers, a DVD player and stereo that were stolen. This week they also flew down heads of the company to present the club with a $5,000 check on Jan. 18.

Senior Vice President of Wal-Mart Distribution Center Larry Mahoney came from Arkansas with Regional Vice President Justin Traweek to present the check this Thursday – with an important message.

“Don’t forget where you come from,” he said to a group of 1- and 3-year-olds at the Boys and Girls Club. “And don’t forget to give back.”

Volunteers and children at the club were thrilled and cheered the Wal-Mart representatives for this unexpected gift.

“I think it’s pretty awesome that people outside Somerville care about our community and came to help us” said Liz Murray, clubhouse director.

“I thought we weren’t going to get anything back,” said Chantel DaCosta, 13, who uses the computers there for homework about three times a week.

“It felt really good,” added Sultan Olusekun, 10. “We were surprised to see the new computers here and we were very happy.”

Four recently donated computers were stolen after-hours from the Boys and Girls Club on Washington Street in November. After reading about the theft online, Mahoney contacted the Wal-Mart Foundation and got the company to donate these items and a check as part of their community service program.

“I grew up in Somerville and it really struck a chord with me,” said Mahoney who recalled delivering the Somerville Journal as a boy. “So we checked to see what we could do about it.”
While it’s an overwhelming feeling to know that people and corporations beyond the borders of this city care about it and its people, Mechilia Eng, executive director of Boys and Girls Club said the message Mahoney had for the kids was a priceless lesson.

“The importance of helping others is a very important message,” she said. “And for the kids to see people come down all the way to see them and help them, makes a big difference.”