Retailer Responds to Heartfelt Letters of Need; Provides Total of $160,000 to 20 Schools

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- After hearing about a letter from eighth-grader Ty'Sheoma Bethea to her congressman pleading for the basic school necessities she and her classmates needed, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) began to wonder: how many other pleas are going unheard? Inspired by the courageous effort of one 14-year-old girl, Walmart launched the "Write to Change the Classroom" program, asking teachers, parents and students to write about their school-supply needs. And they did. After receiving hundreds of heartfelt requests, the retailer is awarding $8,000 in school supplies to each of the 20 selected schools.

"With only two ink cartridges for our entire school, I ask that my classroom have enough for printing so that my students can learn in color."

"Basic needs at school are sometimes never met. I wish I had enough for all students to be set. Simple tools like crayons, paper and pens, so kids wouldn't have to be without or borrow from friends."

These are just some of the many specific needs for help Walmart received.

"Many schools are unable to provide the essentials - books, paper and pencils - for their students this year. We wanted to help," said Janet Bareis, vice president of marketing, Walmart. "We are eager to continue the efforts started by Bethea and hope that we can bring positive change to classrooms this school year."

Walmart today announced the 20 recipients who will each receive $4,000-worth of school supplies for her designated classroom and an additional $4,000 toward supplies for the entire school. Essays were judged by Bethea, as well as an esteemed panel of four nationally-recognized educators, and were reviewed based on the level of need, creativity and the positive impact these supplies would have on the school. The following teachers were selected as recipients:

• Meghan Blackburn, George I. Pair Elementary (West Columbia, S.C.)
• Tina Blalock, Lula Elementary School (Lula, Ga.)
• Dawn Cottman, Samuel P. Massie Elementary School (Forestville, Md.)
• Jan Creasey, Alta Loma Junior High School (Alta Loma, Calif.)
• Lynn Farr, Martin Elementary School (Flowery Branch, Ga.)
• Melissa Galvan, Abraham Lincoln Elementary (Pomona, Calif.)
• Cara Gebhard, Highlands Intermediate School (Pearl City, Hawaii)
• Anita Holmes, Anderson Elementary School (North Pole, Alaska)
• Cindy Lee, C.C. Snell Middle School (Bayard, N.M.)
• Sharon McIlwain, I.B.