How Jaron Mitchell shares his passion for music, community and Walmart.
Walmart is committed to giving back and helping local communities, so it’s no surprise that many of our associates are active in the community, too.
Jaron Mitchell, a part-time overnight stocker at Walmart Store 3802, has been with the company for 14 years. When you meet Jaron, you can’t help but notice how much joyful energy he has.
“I have sunshine 24 hours a day,” he says. And Jaron shares that joy with others through music.
“In sixth grade, I wanted to learn the saxophone. But my mom had watched me knock on every available surface for years. So she said, ‘Saxophone? You need to learn the drums!’”
And he did. Jaron learned to play the drums and read music. He competed in high school and kept drumming as an adult.
Teaching the next generation
About six years ago, his late friend, Kevin Chaffinch, asked if Jaron would help him teach drumline at a local high school. “I said yes, and I’ve been hooked ever since!” Jaron says.
You may have heard drumline music at football games or parades. A drumline includes snare drums, bass drums, tenor drums and cymbals playing high-energy music with creative moves that make you want to jam.
Jaron teaches drumline to almost 200 students at two high schools and a middle school. Under his leadership, all three programs have grown in size and won championships!
“I love teaching those kids,” he says. “We step away from regular life and just enjoy making music together.”
Even Walmart has helped the school band programs Jaron is involved with. Walmart grants bought new instruments and a new 70’ x 55’ vinyl floor mat — a key element of the drumline’s competition show.
Sharing his gift with the community
In 2021, the leader of the Philadelphia Eagles Drumline, Andy Moffatt, asked Jaron to audition. Jaron is now enjoying his second year on the Eagles Drumline, which is a big part of the game day experience for the Eagles fans.
Before games, they perform in the parking lot for tailgaters to get fans pumped up. During the games, their music energizes the stadium. “I love every minute of it!” Jaron says with a smile.
The Eagles Drumline also performs at community service events, including events for the Eagles Autism Awareness Foundation.
Bringing energy to overnights
When he’s not teaching or performing, Jaron brings his “sunshine” to his team at Walmart. He enjoys stocking shelves overnight and helping customers find the items they want. “When I come in, the store looks kind of empty, but by 7 a.m., the shelves are full again!”
Jaron is inspired by his late grandfather and uncle. “They were strong, honest men who worked hard for our family,” Jaron explains. “As a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up and be just like them.”
Jaron makes a positive impact on Walmart associates, customers, his community, Philadelphia Eagles fans and the students he teaches. As he likes to say, “Every day’s a holiday when you love what you do!”
