Remember the old song, "You Gota Have Heart"? Wal-Mart Heart Truck Drivers have miles and miles of it! Wednesday morning four of our local special needs residents found out just how much heart the drivers, Bainbridge Wal-Mart and area residents have.

Hear the story from a driver with a big heart
The honored four, Jasmine Edwards, Jamauri Williams, Maggie Johns and Stephanie Gaither all were special guests of a party that was complete with clowns, cake, balloons and Ducky. Cheer leaders from Miller County were there to lead the Wal-Mart cheer and spread cheer of their own. Each of the four also received gifts made possible with money raised last Saturday by Wal-Mart Associates and donations from area organizations.

The special surprise came from the Wal-Mart Heart Drivers. Tim Gibson, driver from the Douglas Distribution Center, presented each of the four with their very own 'Honorary Wal-Mart Driver shirt'. The special guests also received a beautiful Wal-Mart Heart blanket and other Wal-Mart gifts. The real treat was waiting for them outside.

In the parking lot were half a dozen Wal-Mart trucks, Bainbridge Public Safety Fire trucks, police cars and Decatur County Sheriff's cars. There was going to be a convoy and each of the four was going to get to ride in one of the big rigs.

Around the Wal-Mart parking lot they went. Horns blowing, sirens blaring customers watched the parade. Smiles, Squeals and laughter all coming from each of the trucks. According to the drivers, that is what gets you hooked.

Wal-Mart Heart began in 1998 when a young boy with a congenital heart problem and not expected to have a long life, was granted his wish to ride in one of the Wal-Mart Heart trucks. From that first ride to today, over 100 drivers give their own free time to participate in the program.

There were 8 drivers at the Bainbridge Wal-Mart Heart Wednesday. One coming from as far away as Pageland South Carolina. Some of them have been participating in the program for several years, others like Bainbridge native Hank Spooner, only a few months. All of them will tell you the same thing though; once you do just one Wal-Mart Heart, you are hooked.

Sharon Vickers, Bainbridge Wal-Mart Community Coordinator knew she wanted to bring Wal-Mart Heart to Bainbridge. With the support of store manager Roy Oliver, the Bainbridge Wal-Mart Associates and their families, this once in a lifetime day happened. Sharon gives all the credit for an amazing day to them and the community for their generous support and a huge thanks to the Wal-Mart Drivers.