The Walmart in Hays has awarded a $1000 grant to the Hays Fire Department.  The money from the grant was utilized to purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that are available at no cost to members of the community.

Mike Kohnz, Wal-Mart Store Manager, told Hays Post that they receive around 25 – 30 applications for funds from the Hays store each year from Northwest Kansas through their grant system.

“Out of our store funds here, we’ll do smaller things in the $50 to $100 range.  When we get into the $500 and over range, we go through our grant system.  The actual bigger grants come out of our home office, but the profitability we have here at this store is what allows for that.”

The fire department submitted an application online and described what the money was to be used for.  About a week later, they received the grant and came out to Wal-Mart to purchase smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Hays Fire Fighter Lucas Everett told Hays Post that the fire department applied for the grant and were approved approximately a week later.

“We purchased approximately 38 smoke detectors and 20 carbon monoxide detectors to distribute throughout the city of Hays.  We give those out to people that are elderly, disabled, or low-income families.  We’ll come to your home to install them, and we’ve been doing this program since about 2006.”

Everett says the department has distributed about 1500 smoke detectors and 420 carbon monoxide detectors since 2006. Residents wanting some of the detectors can call the fire department and firefighters will come out and install them. He also added that this supply should last at least 6 months.

Dawn Malott, a Wal-Mart Associate of 28 years, said that any group wishing to apply for funds for any not-for-profit or charitable use can visit walmartfoundation.org.  She says that there has always been a grant system, but the budget for the grants from the Hays store has grown over the years thanks to the profitability of this location.