The Pike County Relay for Life campaign unofficially ended May 16 but Wal-Mart employees presented a generous donation to the county's fundraising effort Monday.

Kay Stinson, leader of Troy Wal-Mart's Relay for Life team, said the $1,500 donation was made possible through the company's VAP program.

"VAP is an acronym for 'Volunteerism Always Pays' and our employees are very generous with their time when it comes to Relay for Life," Stinson said. "For every 15 hours of community service, Wal-Mart will donate $100 to the charity of the volunteer's choice. They can choose schools, churches, community organizations or fundraisers. Many of our employees choose Relay for Life because their lives have been touched by the disease."

Stinson said VAP is a nationwide Wal-Mart program.

"Wal-Mart is real big on community service," she said. "It's our number one priority. It's that way with every Wal-Mart. The company is committed to the communities it serves and our employees are, too."

The Troy Wal-Mart Relay for Life team raised more than $4,500 for the 2003 Pike County Relay for Life campaign.

"Our goal was $3,500 and we were very excited that we reached and passed our goal," Stinson said. "Next year, we'll want to do even more for this very worthwhile cause."

Stinson said Wal-Mart and its employees are always willing to lend a helping hand when there is a great need.

"During the war in Iraq, all of the Wal-Mart stores combined to send thousands of dollars overseas to help take care of our soldiers' needs," she said. "We are very proud to be a part of Pike County's Relay for Life campaign and are looking forward to doing even more next year."

Donna Schubert, team chairperson, expressed her appreciation to Stinson and all of the Wal-Mart employees who contributed to the team's success.

"All of the teams did an outstanding job, and it was because of their tireless efforts that we were able to reach and pass our goal of $203,000 in 2003," Schubert said. "We want to again thank them all."

The teams that participated in the 2003 Relay for Life Campaign were: Alabama Deptartment of Transportation, Association of Life Underwriters. Brooke's Hair Salon, Brundidge United Methodist Church, City of Troy, Collegedale Church of Christ, Colonial Bank-Brundidge, Colonial Bank-Troy, Cooperative Propane, East Central Mental Health, Ebony Club, Edge Regional Medical Center, First Baptist Church of Troy, First United Methodist Church, Garrett's IGA Troy, Garrett's IGA Brundidge, Gibson & Carden, Goshen Elementary School, Goshen High School, Hamilton Crossroads Church of Christ, Hepzibah Baptist Church, Lockheed Martin, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Old Lebanon Baptist Church, Park Memorial United Methodist Church, Pike County Cattlewomen, Pike County Cattlemen, Pike County Courthouse, Pro Marketing/Beeline, Regions Bank, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, South Alabama Electric Cooperative,

Southeast Alabama Rural Health Associates

(SARHA), SouthTrust Bank, Springhill Baptist Church, Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, Charles Henderson Middle School, Charles Henderson High, Troy Elementary School, The Messenger, Tri Omega Social Club, Troy Bank &Trust, Troy Cablevision, Troy Junior Women's League, Troy School of Dance, Troy State University, Wal-Mart, Wayne Farms and Wiregrass Hospice.