As teachers and administrators gathered for a faculty professional development meeting ahead of the new school year, Denine Torr, Dollar General’s senior director of community initiatives, took the stage to thank teachers for all of their hard work and dedication to educate today’s students.
Together with Jeni Kriceri, 3M sales manager, and Taylor Phelps, 3M business unit manager, Dollar General showcased specialized kits that each teacher and administrator received. More than 1,000 back to school kits were distributed to supplement teachers’ classroom supply needs. Each kit is worth nearly $100 and includes products from Scotch®, Post-It®, Scotch-Brite® and Lysol®, as well as a $10 Dollar General gift card.
Torr then welcomed Dr. Del Philips, Director of Sumner County Schools, to the stage with Dollar General’s vice president of merchandising, Al Tenllado, to present another gift. When Philips opened the black and yellow box, he was elated to find a $50,000 check!
“Through our charitable outreach, we strive to make a real and lasting impact on children and families,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General’s senior director of community initiatives. “We believe the one gift that lasts a lifetime and provides individuals with the opportunity for a better future is the ability to read well. We hope this gift will help inspire a love of reading, which will make such a difference for these students as they progress with their education.”
Dollar General supports literacy and education initiatives throughout the 44 states it serves as part of its mission of Serving Others. Including today’s donation, Dollar General and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation have provided Sumner County schools, libraries and literacy organizations with more than $220,000 in funding since September 2018.
Welcome Back Kit Assembly
The day before the big reveal to Sumner County teachers and administrators, approximately 40 volunteers from Dollar General, 3M and Reckitt Benckiser gathered at Dollar General’s corporate offices to assemble the approximately 1,000 kits.
Cody Mohon, Dollar General’s digital marketing manager, helped participate in the kit building volunteer event on Tuesday.
“Dollar General’s mission is Serving Others, and I am always excited for an opportunity to volunteer to help the communities we serve every day,” Mohon said. “We are thrilled to provide our neighbors at Sumner County schools with some of the items they need as they replenish their classroom supplies during this back to school season.”
