Its a relatively modest donation but big for a small community and it shows how a little employee concern for their town can snowball into having an impact.

An employee at Wayne Farms poultry processing plant in Dobson, N.C., led what became a $10,000-plus fundraising effort to help local schools with remote learning and digital home education.

As a nurse and occupational health specialist with the Wayne Farms Dobson facility, Candace Murphy saw the effects of the COVID pandemic on both her plant and the community. As social distancing policies were implemented and parent concerns grew, local officials tasked with making sure home-educated students received adequate instruction realized many families didn’t have access to the necessary technology.

Wayne Farms (No. 61 on our Top 100 list), headquartered in Oakwood, Ga., is the area’s largest employer and a long-time community partner supporting local causes and programs. So when Murphy approached Dobson Complex management with the idea of a fundraiser to provide computer technology to facilitate remote learning, the idea took wings and employees across the local complex got on board.

The result was $10,000 in cash from the company and a pickup truck-load of writing materials, earbuds and tech accessories – probably more than $2,000 worth -- from employee donations. All will help Surry County students requiring virtual learning as COVID-19 continues to run its course.

Murphy recently joined with Wayne Farms representatives and local officials to present the cash and equipment donations. “We’re so glad to be able to help our local schools—we live and work here too, so making sure our students are equipped and ready to learn is a priority for everyone,” said Murphy.