Gravette Upper Elementary teachers receive Walmart reward cards

GRAVETTE -- Teachers at Gravette Upper Elementary School had an exciting staff meeting Oct. 15. Frankie Valdez, manager of the Gravette Gym, was on hand to offer all teachers a 30 percent off deal on gym membership, and they heard an informative presentation on gifted and talented students.

But the highlight of the meeting was the news that 20 teachers would receive $50 reward cards from Walmart to purchase supplies for their classrooms.

Bob Dixon, general manager of the transportation department at Walmart Distribution Center 6094, and two other representatives from Walmart, Debbie Hall and Marla King, came to present the cards as part of the company's Teacher Rewards Program.

These funds come at a critical time as many teachers will spend an estimated $1,000 of their own money to ensure their students have the supplies they need to learn throughout the school year.

"We would like to sincerely thank the Walmart Foundation for these Teacher Rewards Cards," said Mandy Barrett, GUE principal. "Many of our teachers regularly shop at Walmart to help stretch the classroom budget dollars. Being selected as the recipients of the Teacher Rewards Program was an honor for us here at Gravette Upper Elementary. We feel very blessed by their generosity and are very impressed by the way Walmart gives back to the local communities. Thanks again to Walmart for supporting our teachers and students in the community!"

All teachers at the Upper Elementary received tote bags containing pencils, paper and other school supplies. A large cake was also cut and served at the meeting.

More than 5,000 U.S. Walmart stores, distribution centers and Sam's Club locations are eligible to select one public school, grades K-8, and provide reward cards to 20 teachers from each selected school. Winning teachers can use the funds to purchase essential items for their classrooms. For the sixth year, Walmart will donate over $5 million to provide 100,000 teachers across the United States with reward cards.

"We are proud to honor our community's teachers, who give time and often their own money to ensure our students have everything they need to be successful throughout the school year," said Bob Dixon. "At Walmart we are dedicated to supporting our nation's teachers by providing support and resources needed to continue educating the future leaders of our community."

The Teacher Rewards program is an extension of Walmart's ongoing support of local education initiatives that help students better prepare for their future. In 2013 Walmart and its Foundation donated more than $44 million to fund education programs across the country.