Tahlequah Daily Press 04/05/2015

April 6, 2015 2:46 pm /

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. –Tractor Supply Co. and theNational FFA Foundationrecently reported anotheryear growth for their thirdannual Growing Scholarsprogram.

From Feb. 20 to March 1,Tractor Supply customersacross the country donated$563,482, an increase ofmore than 25 percent from2014 donations. This year’sdonations will result in 427$1,000 scholarships award-ed to FFA members in theirpursuit of a college degree.

The Growing Scholarsprogram was supportednationally by each of themore than 1,400 TractorSupply stores as part ofNational FFA Week. TractorSupply customers supportedlocal FFA chapters and theirmembers by purchasing anFFA emblem for $1 at storeregisters during the check-out process. Ninety percentof funds raised are being uti-lized to fund scholarshipsfor FFA members, with theremaining 10 percent bene-fiting state FFA organiza-tions.

“We have very loyal andgiving customers, and to seean increase in support forour Growing Scholars pro-gram is a tribute to the kindof customers that shop atour stores,” said Greg Sand-fort, Tractor Supply presi-dent and chief executiveofficer. “Being able to pro-vide scholarships to FFAmembers and funding forstate FFA organizations istremendous because theyare a part of Tractor Supply,both as customers and aspotential team members.They share the same valuesand lifestyle that TractorSupply supports.”

The National FFA Foun-dation selected FFA mem-bers across the United Statesto receive the scholarships.To be eligible for a scholar-ship, students must havebeen current FFA membersand either a high schoolsenior or a freshman, soph-omore or junior college stu-dent seeking a two- or four-

year degree or other special-ized training program.Major areas of study werealso considered when deter-mining scholarship recipi-ents. For the final report offunds raised, visit www.TractorSupply.com/FFA.

“We are thrilled with theresults of the third annualGrowing Scholars pro-gram,” said Molly A. Ball,National FFA Foundationpresident. “We are verythankful for Tractor Supply’scontinued support of FFAand the efforts of its cus-tomers to give our youth achance to grow.”

In addition to the Grow-

ing Scholars program, Trac-tor Supply and the NationalFFA Foundation have manyother joint initiatives,including the FFA horseevaluation career develop-ment event, National FFAWeek and the annualNational Association ofAgricultural Educators Con-ference. At an individualstore level, Tractor Supplycontinually hosts fundrais-ing events and works close-ly with local FFA chaptersand high school agricultureadvisers to provideresources and leverage syn-ergies.

“Local high school agri-

cultural advisors and FFAchapters feel at home intheir local Tractor Supplystores,” said Christi Korzek-wa, senior vice president ofMarketing at Tractor Supply.“These groups often hostfund-raising events at ourstores to raise money forcommunity projects, likebuilding a school green-house, a new bridge in apublic park or an animalcare lab. Our stores alsowork with local FFA mem-bers to support specific pro-grams and proficiencies byproviding demonstrationsfrom knowledgeable TractorSupply team members and

our vendor partners, whichbrings significant value toboth organizations.”

Tractor Supply has beena sponsor of the NationalFFA Foundation for 28years. The National FFAFoundation is the fundrais-ing arm of the National FFAOrganization, which pro-vides leadership, personalgrowth and career successtraining through agriculturaleducation to 610,240 stu-dent members in grades 7through 12 who belong toone of 7,665 local FFAchapters throughout theU.S., Puerto Rico and theVirgin Islands.

10B • Sunday, April 5, 2015

NHS Executive Vice President and Hospital Administra-tor Jim Berry, left, presents this year’s Doctors Day giftto Elaine Ramos, D.O.

The outstanding work ofNortheastern Health Sys-tem’s medical staff was cel-ebrated March 27 and 30in observation of NationalDoctors Day.

The hospital recognizesits entire medical staff fortheir leadership and devo-tion to patient care. Mealswere provided both days,and new lab coats with theNHS logo were given toeach provider as a token ofappreciation.

At NHS, it is the hospi-tal’s mission to provideunsurpassed excellence inhealth care to patients andthe Tahlequah community.Physicians play a vital roleas the hospital works

toward fulfilling this mis-sion.

On Doctors Day, thehospital’s leadership andstaff expressed their appre-ciation to the medical staffthat serves at NHS.

“This annual celebrationprovides us with an oppor-tunity to recognize the hardwork and dedication thatphysicians demonstrate inour hospital and in thecommunity each day,” saidExecutive Vice Presidentand Hospital AdministratorJim Berry.

“We want them to knowhow much they are valued,as they work tirelessly tocare for us, our family andfriends.”

NHS celebratesDoctors Day

OKLAHOMA CITY –AT&T invested more than $1billion in its Oklahoma wire-less and wireline networksfrom 2011 through 2014,driving a wide range ofupgrades to reliability, cover-age, speed and performancefor residents and businesscustomers.

As part of its ProjectVelocity IP, an investmentplan focused on networkenhancement and expan-sion, AT&T in 2014 made325 network upgrades inOklahoma, including 52new cell sites, addition ofwireless and wired networkcapacity, and new broad-band network connections.

“There is a direct connec-tion between economic

growth and success intoday’s economy and theavailability of leading-edgetechnologies,” said AT&TOklahoma President SteveHahn. “AT&T is proud of ourcontinuing technologyinvestments, which helpenhance the quality of lifeand spur economic opportu-nities for Oklahoma con-sumers and businesses.Announcements like this area tribute to the efforts of ourlocal and state elected offi-cials who work so hard toensure that public policiesencourage companies likeAT&T to invest in Okla-homa.”

Additional informationabout AT&T is available athttp://about.att.com.

AT&T invests $1Bover four years toenhance networks

The Cherokee NationRoads Department isencouraging people of allages to demonstrate theylove where they live byjoining hands and volun-teering for the 2015 GreatAmerican Cleanup inOklahoma coordinatedby Keep Oklahoma Beau-tiful.

GAC is the nation’slargest grassroots commu-nity improvement pro-gram. On April 11, theCherokee Nation volun-teers will assist in com-munity beautification anddebris removal during theOklahoma Department ofTransportation Trash-Off.

“Working with oursponsors has been such awonderful experience forus at KOB, it is alwaysgreat to have the supportof like-minded groupsthat contribute to the suc-cess of so many effortsacross the state,” saidJeanette Nance, KOBexecutive director.

In 2014 alone, morethan 69,000 volunteersand participants took partin GAC events statewide,collecting 3.2 millionpounds of litter anddebris, along with clean-ing 3,500 acres of parks,public lands and openspaces.

For more informationabout this cleanup or howto get involved, contactDebby Nodine at 918-453-5764 for a list of localevents or visit: www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com.

KOB is a statewidenonprofit with a missionto empower citizens topreserve and enhance thestate’s natural beauty andensure a healthy, sustain-able environment. Learnmore at keepokla-homabeautiful.com.

Tractor Supply boosts funds, scholarships for FFACN RoadsDepartmentworking withthousandsthis spring