Teachers at East Newton Elementary School recently had 60 seconds to grab as many school supplies as they could as part of a donation from Walmart’s Teacher Rewards program.

Associates from the Walmart on Industrial Boulevard stopped by the elementary school during a faculty meeting Oct. 1 to donate $1,000 in supplies. They allowed teachers to shuffle through boxes of school supplies during a one-minute shopping spree.

Teachers had been entered in a drawing to win one of 20 $50 gift cards. Those teachers who didn’t win gift cards got the one-minute shopping sprees.

"This support is just overwhelming," said Kim Coady, principal of East Newton Elementary. "You hear so much negative news about education; it’s just nice to have something so positive.

"Our local Walmart is very community-oriented, and we do appreciate all the support they provide. It was good to see the teachers have so much fun today."

"We select a local elementary school each year based on nominations from our associates," said Walmart assistant manager Don Brown. "This year, East Newton received multiple nominations, so we were very pleased to designate them as our 2013 Teacher Rewards recipient."

Brown added that Teacher Rewards, now in its fifth year, has put $5,000 of support into the hands of Newton County teachers since its inception.