A new teacher reward program at Wal-Mart helps 10 teachers at Elcan-King Elementary School in Bainbridge offset rising expenses for much-needed classroom supplies.

Selected at random by the principal, teachers received a $100 Teacher Reward Card at an award presentation ceremony. Those selected are very hard workers who want the best for all students. These teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

During the presentation ceremony held on Oct. 16, Elcan-King Elementary Principal Pam Lunsford and Roy Oliver, store manager of Wal-Mart, addressed the crowd and highlighted the ways in which the Teacher Rewards Cards will benefit classrooms at Elcan-King.

Nationally, the Teacher Rewards program will enable Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club to provide more than $4 million to 40,000 deserving teachers across the United States.

“Wal-Mart is committed to helping address unmet needs in the communities where we serve,” Oliver said. “Our support for Elcan-King Elementary School underscores this commitment, and we are hopeful that through the Teacher Rewards program, these educators will be able to purchase the materials needed for the new school year.”

The new Teacher Rewards program is an extension of the retailer’s ongoing support of education and local community involvement. In 2008, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart Foundation gave more than $66 million to fund education programs and scholarships in communities across the country.