SAGINAW -- Sometimes the best gifts come in the form of big checks. On Tuesday, the Walmart Foundation and the Michigan State Giving Council presented $40,000 to Saginaw promise, a program that provides scholarships to college-bound students.
"It's exciting. It's a privilege and honor to be able to do it,” Walmart Market Manager Conni Mitchell said.
The money will be used to provide scholarships to qualifying students. It’s good news for Arthur Hill High School student Charnay Gloss, who has her eyes set on Michigan State.
"It means a lot to know that there's somebody to help me throughout college,” she said.
Saginaw Promise Chairwoman Joyce Seals said, “When our students are doing well in the community, it brings people to the community."
Since the city of Saginaw was designated a Promise Zone under Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s legislation in 2009, more Saginaw students are going to college.
Last year, 98 percent of students in the school district were accepted to college.
Seals said, “We're providing hope and encouragement for their future."
That's a promise city and business leaders say they plan to keep.
Visit http://saginawpromise.org/ to apply for scholarships or donate to the organization.
