"That doesn't diminish the value of their contribution to the cause.
I
can't help but think that the folks that benefited from their actions
are
quite grateful.

Harold "

I would agree....but do not lose sight of WHY they did it....it's
strictly for business purposes.

There are many disasters around the country every year....and Walmart
in part used Katrina to help their PR image which has been seriously
lagging of late.

And consider because of their size their actual contribution to "good
causes" is a significantly smaller portion of sales than many other
companies....and it was definitely tax deductible...which all good
companies scramble for. In part that means that the tax burden is
shifted more to the private individual for this good deed...and tax
money will be the basis for rebuilding in these areas....your tax
money.

It is very likely that your local business that donated to help those
who were in need made a much greater real sacrifice in donation/sale
volume than Walmart did but again they have more to lose than a
multinational corporation who can shut their doors and move on....and
do.

Again, never forget WHY they did it....it was not because they CARED.

TMT