Latasha Everson/Reporter
CNHI
TIFTON —
Tifton’s Walmart employees; Kenneth Boon, co-manager; Charlotte Cross, community involvement coordinator; and Diana Hathcock, office associate, made a visit to Omega Middle School Wednesday to thank all certified teachers for their dedication and devotion to helping their students in the classroom.
Walmart provided the teachers with refreshments and free reusable totes filled with goodies for them to enjoy.
According to Walmart, it’s estimated that educators spend approximately $500 out of their own pockets each year for classroom supplies, including snacks for students who may not have regular access to food.
Each Walmart store, Distribution Center and Sam’s Club location across the U.S. will select one local kindergarten through eighth grade public school and will provide 10 teachers with $100 reward cards to be used at any Walmart or Sam’s Club.
This program was created to help teachers purchase much-needed classroom supplies for the school season. According to Walmart, more than 45,000 educators will be awarded these cards, infusing $4.5 million to schools across America.
At Omega Middle School, names were pulled out of a jar to determine the winners. The following teachers each received a reward card: Kim Beasley, Jo Clements, Stephanie Estes, Robin Garland, Liz Hill, Robin Lasseter, Nerily Lopez, Lisa Lovett, Sylvia McWilliams and Valencia Scarbor.
Principal Victoria Melton thanked Walmart for their gifts and appreciation for the teachers at the middle school.
“I appreciate Walmart for what they are doing,” Melton said. “Times are tough and you’re right, we do at times have to come out of pocket to help provide for the students.”
Walmart is committed to supporting the local community and addressing unmet needs. All of Walmart’s 4,558 facilities nationwide are eligible to participate in the Teacher Rewards program.
According to Walmart, this is the second year they have supported educators with Teacher Rewards, as part of the company’s ongoing support of education initiatives. In 2009, Walmart and its Foundation gave more than $53 million to fund educational programs in communities across the country.
