Callaway Elementary Teacher Surprised with Sergeant Mark Chaney School Supply Award
September 24, 2025

LaGrange, Ga. - For Callaway Elementary teacher Tammy Swink, a surprise award held a special meaning. Ms. Swink, who went to school with the late Sergeant Mark Chaney, became the first-ever recipient of the school supply program created in his honor.

The presentation took place in Ms. Swink’s kindergarten classroom shortly after morning announcements. She was surprised with a $100 gift card from the Sergeant Mark Chaney Back to School Supply program, established to continue his legacy of generosity. Presenting the award was Sgt. Chaney’s wife, Donna, and his daughter, Meagan Gately, who is also a teacher at Callaway Elementary. They were joined by Principal Katie Willis, Assistant Principal Heather Wallace, and Troup County School System Superintendent, Dr. Rachel Hazel.

Sgt. Chaney worked for the Troup County Sheriff’s Department for 32 years. Throughout his career, he worked closely with different schools in Troup County as an investigator before Resource Officers were in every school. He also worked security for school sporting events. Later, he worked in the juvenile court system in multiple capacities. He had a passion for helping those around him, especially kids. Mark and his wife, Donna, opened up their home as foster parents and welcomed numerous children over the years. They continued to stay in touch with many of these kids even after they went back home.

Mark was always looking for a way to encourage his community. One way that he consistently helped the kids of Troup County was by buying them school supplies. He would pick up a school supply list from Walmart and fill book bags with those needed supplies. Then he would anonymously deliver book bags full of school supplies to the different schools around town, ensuring students had what they needed to be successful.
Even after he retired from the Troup County Sheriff’s Department in 2017, Mark continued to bless the kids in Troup County. When his daughter became a teacher, he would always help contribute to her classroom.

Mark Chaney passed away suddenly on October 5, 2024, but his family would like to keep his giving spirit alive. 

In his honor, the Chaney and Gately families are blessing one teacher from every elementary school with an Amazon gift card to help purchase school supplies for students in their classrooms. The school administrator will choose the teacher for this inaugural year. Going forward, the Chaney and Gately family would love to expand this outreach by supplying book bags filled with supplies for all the schools around Troup County, just like Mark did. The Chaney and Gately family feels honored to continue giving back to the kids in Troup County in Honor of Mark Chaney.

Be on the lookout for more surprise visits, as the program will recognize one outstanding teacher from every elementary school in the district.