The Board of Education and the Dawson County Health Department each received a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart last week.

“We are glad to be able to do this,” said Cecil Bennett, community involvement coordinator of the local Wal-Mart.

“We hope that this donation will help in some way to get more people interested in giving, especially to support school nurses,” he added.

Keith Porter, associate superintendent of schools, was appreciative of the donation and expressed gratitude to Wal-Mart on behalf of the school system.

“Before the beginning of each school year, we plan for how we can ensure the safety of our students,” Porter said. “Without school nurses and the threat of losing their funding, it is hard for us to plan. This donation will help us in our planning.”

Larry Anderson, chairman of the board of health, was equally as appreciative of the donation.

“This money will be used to encourage more children to come to the dentist,” Anderson said.

“This donation marks $3,000 that Wal-Mart has donated to us,” Anderson added.

“We have offered dental care for over 8 years in the county, providing preventative care and treatment of disorders to those 18 and under. This donation will allow us to continue such offerings,” Anderson added.

Since Wal-Mart opened its doors on Hwy. 400 in Dawson County in July 2006, $177,973.14 has been given back to the community through various donations to different organizations throughout Dawson County.