The Westfield Elementary School recently was awarded 40 gallons of paint for its annex classroom through the True Value Foundation’s Painting a Brighter Future program. Virch’s True Value in Westfield provided the opportunity to the school and Custodian Mary Goldsmith wrote the successful grant. Standing in front of the school last week were Andy Sloan, Business Manager/Vice Principal, John Eyerly, District Administrator, Cory Parman, Elementary School Principal, Mary Goldsmith, Bud Virch and Valerie Virch. (Photo by Kathleen McGwin)

Brighter walls thanks to Virch’s True Value

By Kathleen McGwin
When Valerie Virch saw the True Value grant opportunity for paint, she passed it on to the Westfield School District. Custodian Mary Goldsmith jumped at the chance to apply for badly needed paint for the interior of the Westfield Elementary School annex. Her first try at applying for a grant was a success and Westfield Elementary School received 40 gallons of paint from the True Value Foundation’s Painting a Brighter Future program.

“That’s about $1200 of paint,” said Bud Virch, who was present to see the delivery of the paint to the school.

The Virch family and True Value have a long history with Westfield. Bud Virch opened up Virch’s Hardware in 1965 and for the past 25 years, the familiar village store has been a True Value. Val Virch, Bud’s daughter, was in fourth grade when the new Westfield Elementary School opened its doors. She said she was glad to stay connected with the community school by helping it look nice for today’s kids.

Mary Goldsmith has been with the Westfield School District for 21 years, so she’s seen plenty of paint put on those walls and works to keep the schools looking clean and well-kept for students and staff.

According to True Value’s press release about the grant program, “Painting a Brighter Future is the signature program of the True Value Foundation, a philanthropic organization of True Value retailers nationwide. Serving as ambassadors for the foundation, True Value retailers introduced the Painting a Brighter Future program to their towns, championing the cause of enhancing the educational environment in their respective communities.”

Grant applications were evaluated on aspects of the school, involvement with the surrounding community and the reason for the request. The True Value Foundation has been awarding grants creating positive change in communities since 2008.