Wal-Mart donates $4.3 million to winning teachers schools.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wendy Sept or Sarah Clark (479) 273-4314
BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 3, 2004 - At schools large and small, teachers who are positively influencing the lives of young people will be given an A+ in honor of National Teachers Day, which is Tuesday, May 4. In conjunction with Phi Delta Kappa International, a national professional education association, Wal-Mart and SAMS CLUB associates at every location nationwide will announce a local honoree in Wal-Marts ninth annual Teacher of the Year program. In many cases these outstanding educators will be surprised with a special ceremony.
Winning teachers will receive $1,000 educational grants from the Wal-Mart/SAMS CLUB Foundation to benefit their local school and an honorary Wal-Mart greeters vest. Winning teachers also have the opportunity to apply for state and national Teacher of the Year honors. Increased this year, educational grants for an additional $10,000 will be given to state winners. The state winners will automatically be entered in the national competition. The national winner will receive an additional $25,000 educational grant for a total of $36,000 to his or her school.
Through the program, which is one of the largest teacher recognition efforts in the country, Wal-Mart will give back $4.3 million this year alone to the schools of winning teachers, according to Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president and director of the Wal-Mart/SAMS CLUB Foundation. "Education is a cornerstone commitment for Wal-Mart and SAMS CLUB associates nationwide," she added. "We are proud to help raise awareness for excellence in education and to salute teachers, who play such an important role in growing and shaping young people." Since the Teacher of the Year program began in 1995, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will have honored more than 22,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $14.5 million to local schools.Last year, $3.6 million was awarded to schools nationwide and in Puerto Rico. In total, last year the company contributed more than $40 million in support of educational initiatives.
"Americas teachers are being mandated to improve student achievement, but they are not being provided the resources to do so by local, state, and federal government," said George Kersey, Jr., executive director of Phi Delta Kappa International. "We are pleased to work in partnership with the Wal-Mart/SAMS CLUB Foundation again in this years Teacher of the Year recognition program. This program recognizes the value of teachers and represents a tangible contribution for school improvement by corporate America."
About Phi Delta Kappa International
Phi Delta Kappa International is committed to leadership, service, and research in education. It is a professional association composed of educators at all levels. Member chapters are active throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. As an association, Phi Delta Kappa works to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. In addition, the organization supports educators in their work through publications, research, and professional development opportunities. Visit www.pdkintl.org to learn more about Phi Delta Kappa International.
About Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAMS CLUBS in all fifty states. Internationally, the company operates in Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina and South Korea. The companys securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Last year, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., contributed more than $160 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. Customers and associates raised an additional $70 million at stores and clubs.
More information about Wal-Mart can be located on-line at www.walmartstores.com and www.walmart.com. The SAMS CLUB Web site can be accessed at www.samsclub.com. And more information about Wal-Marts Good Works community involvement is available online at www.walmartfoundation.org.
Editors Note: May 2-8 is celebrated in the educational community as Teacher Appreciation Week
Educational Grants Awarded by State
Editors Note: Please contact your local Wal-Mart or SAMS CLUB store for the name and school of the local winner(s) in your community.
| State | Number of Local Teacher of the Year Winners in the State | Educational Grant Dollars Awarded in the State on National Teachers Day | |
| Alabama | 99 | $99,000 | |
| Alaska | 9 | $9,000 | |
| Arizona | 60 | $60,000 | |
| Arkansas | 101 | $101,000 | |
| California | 181 | $181,000 | |
| Colorado | 69 | $69,000 | |
| Connecticut | 34 | $34,000 | |
| Delaware | 11 | $11,000 | |
| Florida | 206 | $206,000 | |
| Georgia | 136 | $136,000 | |
| Hawaii | 7 | $7,000 | |
| Idaho | 17 | $17,000 | |
| Illinois | 147 | $147,000 | |
| Indiana | 111 | $111,000 | |
| Iowa | 63 | $63,000 | |
| Kansas | 63 | $63,000 | |
| Kentucky | 84 | $84,000 | |
| Louisiana | 97 | $97,000 | |
| Maine | 27 | $27,000 | |
| Maryland | 51 | $51,000 | |
| Massachusetts | 43 | $43,000 | |
| Michigan | 96 | $96,000 | |
| Minnesota | 63 | $63,000 | |
| Mississippi | 73 | $73,000 | |
| Missouri | 131 | $131,000 | |
| Montana | 12 | $12,000 | |
| Nebraska | 27 | $27,000 | |
| Nevada | 26 | $96,000 | |
| New Hampshire | 29 | $29,000 | |
| New Jersey | 42 | $42,000 | |
| New Mexico | 29 | $29,000 | |
| New York | 99 | $99,000 | |
| North Carolina | 126 | $126,000 | |
| North Dakota | 7 | $7,000 | |
| Ohio | 142 | $142,000 | |
| Oklahoma | 105 | $105,000 | |
| Oregon | 29 | $29,000 | |
| Pennsylvania | 127 | $127,000 | |
| Rhode Island | 10 | $10,000 | |
| South Carolina | 72 | $72,000 | |
| South Dakota | 10 | $10,000 | |
| Tennessee | 115 | $115,000 | |
| Texas | 396 | $396,000 | |
| Utah | 41 | $41,000 | |
| Vermont | 6 | $6,000 | |
| Virginia | 91 | $91,000 | |
| Washington | 40 | $40,000 | |
| West Virginia | 31 | $31,000 | |
| Wisconsin | 85 | $85,000 | |
| Wyoming | 12 | $12,000 |