Volunteerism Always Pays.

And nowhere is that more evident than at Pike County Elementary School in Brundidge.

Tracey Arnold, PCES principal, said a partnership with the Walmart DC in Brundidge pays big dividends for the students and faculty at PCES.

“Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP) offers Walmart employees the opportunity to volunteer at Pike County Elementary School in a variety of way,” Arnold said. “Our school benefits from the many things they do to make our school a better place. And, our students learn the importance of volunteering when they see their parents, friends and members of the community volunteering their time to Pike County Elementary School.”

Arnold said volunteers do “everything” around the school from assisting teachers to painting walls, making repairs and doing cleaning chores.

“We appreciate Walmart and its employees for their volunteer spirit and for being role models for our students,” she said. “We thank them, too, for the monetary donations to our school.”

Coston Collier, Walmart DC area manager and PTO president, said Walmart employees have the opportunity to volunteer for community projects. The volunteer hours the employees donate to PCES translate into dollars for the school, he said.

“For every 250 volunteer hours donated to PCES, the school receives a $5,000 donation from Walmart,” Collier said.

And for every 25 hours that are volunteered in a specific classroom, Walmart donates $250 to that classroom teacher to be used in the classroom.

Mark Griffin, Walmart operations manager and past PTO president, said Walmart encourages its employees to volunteer in the communities where they live.

Those who volunteer in the schools are touching the lives of present and future generations.

“Walmart is proud to be a partner in the education of the students at Pike County Elementary School,” he said.

Arnold said PCES welcomes Walmart and its employees to the campus.

“We appreciate those who provide help and encouragement to our students,” she said. “They are making a difference in the lives of our students.”