Dollar General Gives $10,000 To Each Baxter School

Literacy, libraries and the love of reading gets a boost in Baxter, thanks to Dollar General.

Putnam County Schools Curriculum Supervisor Dr. Sharon Anderson said this $40,000 donation was a surprise up until Dollar General arrived in person. Originally, all the system knew was that books and school supplies would be donated when the system first heard from Dollar General.

“They would like to set up a visit with our Baxter area schools,” Anderson said. “They would like to bring school supplies and books for the students, but they would also have a surprise in store.”

Anderson said the 4 schools can spend the money anyway they choose, as long as it goes towards its library or school literacy. Whether it be for the catalog system, repairing and replacing books or adding magazine subscriptions. Anderson said investing in literacy is a priority every year.

“It is a keystone of our school improvement plans every year,” Anderson said. “This just provides an extra boost for those four schools in Baxter.”

As for the teacher supplies, Anderson said having extra supplies helps with having to share supplies during the pandemic. Things like sticky notes or markers can also help teachers’ budget.

“I know that when I was in the classroom and I know many of our teachers do as well,” Anderson said. “Those are things we would tend to purchase out of pocket.”

Dollar General provided a grade-level appropriate book to each student in Baxter. All of these donations to Baxter come through Dollar General’s Literacy Program. The four schools in Baxter receiving the donations are Baxter Primary School, Cornerstone Elementary and Upperman Middle and High School.