Bergland school adopted by

Ken Johnston

Someone really big is helping someone fairly small.
Each year Wal-Mart stores across Canada each choose a school to adopt and help out. This year the Fort Frances Wal-Mart has chosen McCrosson-Tovell School in Bergland.
While the school has less than 40 students, it still has needs like any other school. It was chosen at random this year. “We put all the names in the hat and drew one,” said Cindy Kellett, store manager at Wal-Mart in Fort Frances. Normally the adopt a school program sees the schools write a letter outlining why they would like to be adopted by the store. “But since we are a new store we chose to draw them out of a hat for the first couple of years,” explained Kellett. Last year they chose a Fort Frances school.
McCrosson-Tovell Principal Bob Derkson said that the school receives a lot of corporate offers each year. When the one from Wal-Mart came, he set it out in the staff room. “Someone read it and said, ‘I think we have been selected for something.’” They called Wal-Mart who was waiting to hear back from the school.
Since then Wal-Mart has donated an electric pump for inflating sports balls. They have also sent staff out to the school to help host an open house there. “They even brought along treats!” said Derkson. “We were all so thrilled!”
Now the school is putting together a wish list for Wal-Mart. Kellett said that the staff fully embrace the adopt a school program. For one staff member, Lillian Medwechuk, the selection of the Bergland school had special meaning. Her children grew up in the Bergland area.
The store holds one event a month. Last Friday they had Soup and Sandwich day from which all the proceeds will go towards the needs McCrosson identifies on their wish list. Kellett said the events are, “All associate (staff) driven!” Kellett said she has been with the company for 15 years and, the people here are some of the most giving she has ever met.
Wal-Mart also offers the school their store as a place to come and sell raffle tickets that are fund raisers for the school. Staff can also help with events at the school as they did the open house last month. “Sometimes staff will read to kids... it really depends on the needs of the school,” said Kellett.
Another program that the company will be putting forward in the new year is “Teacher of the Year.” “We will solicit nominations from schools. The winning teacher will receive a $500 donation for classroom needs.”