A group of 30 Wadesboro Elementary fifth-graders got a special treat Thursday morning, Sept. 2, and students in all of Anson County's schools got a gift that will keep giving.

Windstream, which provides phone, Internet and television services to a wide area, including Anson County, donated school supplies to the Anson County Schools central office, and brought along its well known "Green Truck," a 1953 Chevy pickup truck to make the delivery.

"At the Charlotte call center, we did a school supply drive," explained customer service coordinator Denise Miller. "Anson County is one of our service areas so we figured it'd be good for the community."

Miller and fellow Windstream employees Monica Seals, Donna Winchester, Nicole Carter and Brooke Lockwood collected the supplies and delivered them to the central office on Thursday, where Wadesboro Elementary's top performing fifth-graders waited eagerly.

"We have everything from crayons to notebooks to backpacks and glue sticks," Miller said. "You name it, it's probably in there."

For the kids, the Windstream employees revved up the Green Truck's engine, used its hydraulics to lower and lift the truck's bed and let the kids all take a look at the fully restored and tricked-out interior and engine.

"They are all real excited," said Wendy Efird, director of the Rotary Planetarium and Science Center. Efird asked the fifth grade teachers at the elementary school pick their top 10 students to be on hand to witness Windstream's delivery.

Anson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Firn said the supplies will be divided up amongst the most needy students in the county. "Obviously, we're greatly appreciative of the generosity of the community that participated in this," he said. "A lot of students will benefit from this kindness."