Dominion and Wal-Mart to Offer Cooling Assistance for Virginia-Area Senior Citizens

June 13, 2006

RICHMOND, Va. – Dominion and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced Tuesday the beginning of the 16th consecutive year of Fan Care, a partnership with the Virginia Department for the Aging that helps low-income older citizens in Virginia keep cool during summer months.

More than 22,000 fans have been distributed since the program’s inception. It provides one free fan to elderly Virginians who live within Dominion’s service area and who meet eligibility requirements. An estimated 1,200 will receive fans this summer.

“There are many elderly Virginians who are in poor health and confined within their homes. The cooling effect of just one fan is enough to make the hot summer days more bearable,” said Eva S. Hardy, Dominion senior vice president-External Affairs & Corporate Communications.

Fan Care is a public-private partnership administered by the Virginia Department for the Aging. Dominion is the primary sponsor. Wal-Mart is the exclusive retailer providing fans to local Area Agencies on Aging at a discounted rate. The discount enables more seniors to be served by the program.

Local Area Agencies on Aging administer Fan Care by screening applicants and distributing fans. A list of participating agencies is available by contacting the Virginia Department for the Aging at 1-800-552-3402. In addition, Wal-Mart will be hosting an on-site screening for area seniors at the Richmond Sheila Lane location on Aug. 5. More details will become available closer to the event date.

“Wal-Mart is delighted to participate in this important program to help elderly citizens cool their homes with fans during the hot summer months,” said Carol Johnston, Wal-Mart Regional General Manager. “We believe each Wal-Mart store has a responsibility to contribute to the needs of the community it calls home and that, at the local level, we can have the most impact on improving people’s lives.”

Dominion donates $50,000 to the Fan Care program, most of which goes toward the purchase of fans. Funds also are available to agencies to purchase air-conditioners for clients with more serious health problems.

To be eligible for Fan Care, an individual must:

  • Live in Virginia.
  • Be age 60 or older.
  • Have a need for cooling assistance.
  • Meet income guidelines defined by the Area Agencies on Aging.

The program will continue until Sept. 30 or as long as supplies last.

Dominion and Wal-Mart invite other businesses and municipalities to join as Fan Care partners. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to Fan Care by sending a check in any amount to the nearest Area Agency on Aging. Checks should be made payable to the agency.

About Dominion
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with an energy portfolio of about 28,100 megawatts of generation. Dominion also serves retail energy customers in nine states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Arca, formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange, under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.

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CONTACTS:    
Media: Dominion – Daisy Pridgen, (804) 771-6115  
  Edelman for Wal-Mart – Jessica Haese, (202) 326-1729