Walmart Canada Recognizes Real-Life Heroes

The third-annual Mom of the Year Award acknowledges the contributions and achievements of Canadian moms

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Shaping, molding and nurturing one of the country's most important resources, our children, is no small feat, and is one that requires patience, perseverance and passion. Through countless hours, Canadian mothers play many different roles, and display courage and self-sacrifice that deem them real life heroes to their families and the communities in which they serve.

In honour of all that moms do and the impact they have on those around them, Walmart Canada is launching its third annual Mom of the Year Award, giving people across the country the opportunity to recognize the enormous contribution mothers make to their families and to their communities. On April 14, 2014, Canadians are encouraged to nominate the important moms in their lives at www.walmart.ca/mom  by describing the qualities that make them special and by sharing why they deserve to be recognized.

"Giving Canadians an opportunity to say 'thank you' to moms is important to us, which is why we are thrilled to bring back the Mom of the Year Award for a third year," said Sandra Sanderson, executive vice-president of marketing for Walmart Canada. "This award not only celebrates the magnificent accomplishments of moms across the country, but also acknowledges all of the ways – both large and small – that mothers impact our lives every day."

A Selection Committee of Mom Ambassadors comprised of last year's Mom of the Year, the 2012 Mom of the Year, two admired Canadian mothers and one Walmart Canada mom will determine the recipients of the 2014 Walmart Canada Mom of the Year Award:

• 2013 Walmart Canada Mom of the Year, Susi Vander Wyk
• 2012 Walmart Canada Mom of the Year, Katie Schulz 
• Editor-in-Chief of Walmart Live Better, Sandra E. Martin
• Executive Editor of Walmart Live Better and Vivre mieux Walmart, Liza Cooperman
• Executive Vice-President of Marketing, Walmart Canada, Sandra Sanderson

"Being involved in the Mom of the Year Award has been an honour and a humbling experience for me and my family," said Vander Wyk. "My journey through motherhood has fueled my passion for creating strong, confident children, while also strengthening my desire to give back to my community and those families and children affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), including my daughter Holli. Walmart's generous donation has provided great funding to a cause that has long been dear to my heart."

New in 2014, Walmart will honour six Mom of the Year recipients. One mom will be selected by the Committee for each of the following five categories:

• Environmental Superstar
• Community Champion
• Smart Saver
• Loving Caregiver
• Everyday Hero

The sixth mom will be the My Finalist recipient, selected by public vote from 20 finalists.

Once again Canadians will have the chance to review the top 20 candidates and vote for one mom they want to see become one of the six finalists through My Finalist public voting. Each finalist will receive $10,000 to spend on themselves and $10,000 for the charity or cause of their choice. Finalists that are not selected for a Mom of the Year title will receive $500 for themselves and $500 for the charity of their choice.

Nominations for the Walmart Canada Mom of the Year Award close on May 23, 2014. My Finalist public voting will take place from June 11 through to July 4, 2014 and the My Finalist recipient will be announced on July 5, 2014. The five category recipients will be announced from August 4 through to September 1, 2014. To participate in the program and support Canadian moms, please visit www.walmart.ca/mom.

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 390 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day, as well as its flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, which is visited by over 400,000 Canadians daily. With 95,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping people in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $200 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.  Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/@walmartcanada.

SOURCE: WalMart Canada

Hilary Lawton/Susie Nick, APEX Public Relations, 416-934-2123/416-934-2125, [email protected]/[email protected]