LEONARD GRAY

BOUTTE – The new Super Wal-Mart opens today, and the store’s co-managers Moise Collins and Earl Cooney say they’re more than ready. Although it only opened today, the store had been turning away potential customers for several weeks, drawn by the cars in the parking lot. “We’ve been very widely accepted,” Collins said last week, working in the midst of hundreds of scurrying employees, all working to meet today’s deadline. The 158,416-square foot facility includes a supermarket, tire and lube center, garden center and parking for 880 vehicles. And today’s opening also marks the company’s first steps in becoming part of the St. Charles Parish community, as charitable donations totaling more than $25,000 are being made this morning. Beneficiaries include the St. Charles Humane Society, the St. Charles Child Advocacy Center, St. Charles Social Concerns and A.A. Songy Kindergarten’s Parent-Teacher Organization, through Wal-Mart’s Good Works community involvement program. The business is also “adopting” Norco Adult Day-Care, the St. Charles Council on Aging, St. Charles United Way and the Luling Volunteer Fire Department, according to support manager Beverly Gaudet. The Boutte Wal-Mart, with 400 employees, also has raised $3,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. “This isn’t a one-shot thing,” Collins added, pledging Wal-Mart’s continued support of the community. Wal-Mart in Louisiana contributed $3.8 million to Louisiana community organizations in 1999. In 2000, Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $163 million to charitable organizations nationwide.