Tools4Schools Archives - WakeEd

Tools4Schools Reaches $2 Million Milestone in Free Classroom Supplies for Wake County Teachers

WakeEd — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Free classroom supply store has supported 5,886 educators through more than 16,700 teacher shopping visits since 2022

RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) announced today that its free classroom supply store, Tools4Schools, has surpassed a major milestone, distributing more than $2 million in new classroom supplies to Wake County Public School teachers since opening in January 2022.

Since opening in 2022, Tools4Schools has supported 5,886 unique Wake County educators, with teachers returning again and again—accounting for more than 16,700 shopping visits for free classroom supplies.

Tools4Schools was created to support educators who routinely spend hundreds—often thousands—of dollars out of pocket each year to provide basic classroom supplies for their students. Since its launch, thousands of Wake County teachers representing every public school in the district have shopped at the store.

“When we launched Tools4Schools, our goal was simple—make sure teachers didn’t have to spend their own money on basic supplies for their classrooms,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “The fact that educators continue to rely on this resource year after year shows both the scale of the need and the power of this community stepping up for teachers.”

Wake County teachers report spending more than $900 a year out of their own pockets on classroom supplies. Tools4Schools helps offset those costs by providing essential items at no cost to educators, allowing them to focus resources where they matter most—supporting students.

In January 2024, WakeEd relocated Tools4Schools from Cary to a more central location at 1816 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, improving access for teachers across the county—particularly those serving schools with the greatest need. The new location has helped drive a significant increase in teacher participation and supplies distributed.

“The demand has only grown,” Poston added. “While we wish a program like Tools4Schools wasn’t necessary, the reality is that teachers and students can’t wait for long-term policy solutions. Until classrooms are fully funded, we’re committed to mobilizing the community to support educators right now.”

To help prepare for the upcoming school year, WakeEd Partnership will host its annual Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive this summer. Donations of funds and classroom supplies are accepted year-round, with summer being a critical time to restock shelves before teachers return in the fall.

How to Support Tools4Schools

Make a cash donation. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Donate online HERE (https://wakeed.kindful.com/?campaign=1131262)

or mail checks to:

WakeEd Partnership

1816 Capital Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27604

(Please include Tools4Schools in the memo line.)

Donate classroom supplies.

WakeEd accepts new and gently used classroom supplies year-round. A list of most-requested items is available online at https://www.wakeed.org/tools4schools/ Large deliveries should be coordinated at Tools4Schools@wakeed.org

Shop the Tools4Schools Amazon Wish List.

Purchase teacher-requested items and ship directly to Tools4Schools through our Amazon Wish List of what is most needed right now. Amazon Wish List here https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AUCFMA948I5X/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Host a supply drive.

Businesses, civic groups, and community organizations can host supply drives throughout the year. Toolkits and registration information are available online at https://www.wakeed.org/supply-drive/

Volunteer at Tools4Schools.

Volunteers are needed to stock shelves, assist teachers, and sort donations. Individuals and groups can sign up on our web site through Activate Good https://www.wakeed.org/volunteer/

For information about corporate sponsorships and other giving opportunities, contact development@wakeed.org.

About WakeEd Partnership

WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a business-backed nonprofit dedicated to supporting the teachers, students, and families of Wake County Public Schools. Founded in 1983, WakeEd works to mobilize the community, support classrooms, and champion strong public schools for all students. Learn more at www.wakeed.org

The post Tools4Schools Reaches $2 Million Milestone in Free Classroom Supplies for Wake County Teachers appeared first on WakeEd.

Wake Ed Teams Up with NC Courage for Back-to-School Match to Benefit Tools4Schools

WakeEd — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:32:58 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership is teaming up with the NC Courage for a special Back-to-School Match on Saturday, August 16, 2025, to support Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) teachers.

Fans attending the 7:30 p.m. match at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park are encouraged to bring new school supply donations to help stock the Tools4Schools store, which provides essential classroom materials to educators across Wake County—free of charge.

In addition, $3 from every ticket purchased through the special WakeEd link will be donated to Tools4Schools: https://tickets.nccourage.com/offers/1959. These tickets will also include a $10 merchandise voucher.

“Teachers are spending their own money on basic classroom needs for their students, and that’s unacceptable,” said WakeEd President Keith Poston. “Tools4Schools exists to ease that burden—and it’s only possible because of the incredible generosity of this community and partners like the NC Courage. We’re so appreciative of the NC Courage, who have supported Tools4Schools since we opened in 2022.”

As part of the evening, WakeEd Partnership will be honored at halftime as the charity of choice for NC Courage player Hannah Betfort, a nominee for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award. Hannah will wear a commemorative armband featuring a silhouette of the award’s namesake, Lauren Holiday.

Hannah has partnered with WakeEd to launch an innovative PE Takeover program, bringing soccer-based, hands-on learning experiences into local schools. Her goal is to make learning more fun and engaging by using the game she loves to inspire students.

Fans can also show their support for Hannah by participating in the Fan Impact Challenge, hosted at nwslsoccer.com from August 15–30. The nominee with the most fan engagement will win the challenge, and the charitable organization of their choice will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide. Learn more about the Lauren Holiday Impact Award here:
https://nwslsoccer.com/lauren-holiday-impact-award-2025

This event coincides with WakeEd’s ongoing Back to School with Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive, which runs through August 22. The eight-week drive helps ensure that teachers across WCPSS have the materials they need for the upcoming school year.

Since its launch in 2022, Tools4Schools has distributed over $1.6 million in free supplies to WCPSS educators. In the last school year alone, the store served more than 5,000 teachers from every WCPSS school. Surveys show that 94% of teachers said it helped reduce their out-of-pocket classroom spending—costs that average more than $1,000 per teacher per year.

Learn more or support Tools4Schools at: https://www.wakeed.org/tools4schools/

For sponsorship or giving inquiries, contact Kristen Farrell, WakeEd’s Director of Development, at kfarrell@wakeed.org.

About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.

###

The post Wake Ed Teams Up with NC Courage for Back-to-School Match to Benefit Tools4Schools appeared first on WakeEd.

Wake Ed Partnership Launches Annual Tools4Schools Supply Drive to Support Wake County Teachers

WakeEd — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership officially kicked off its annual “Back to School with Tools4Schools” Community Supply Drive today, rallying public support to fill the shelves of its free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School teachers Tools4Schools. The eight-week drive runs through August 22 and helps ensure that educators across the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) have the essential materials they need as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

This year’s drive began with a media event at the Staples store on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh, where local leaders joined WakeEd and Staples representatives to highlight the importance of community support for public schools. Speakers included:

Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, Wake County Public Schools
Chris Heagarty, Chair, Wake County Board of Education
Yomary Wilder, General Manager, Staples (Garner location)
Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership

Staples returns as a key partner, hosting donation bins at all of its Wake County locations for the duration of the drive. Shoppers are encouraged to purchase extra items for donation while doing their own back-to-school shopping.

Since opening in 2022, Tools4Schools has distributed over $1.6 million in free school supplies to Wake County teachers. Last year alone, the store served more than 5,000 educators representing every single WCPSS school. Survey results show that 94% of teachers who visited the store said it helped reduce their out-of-pocket spending—costs that average more than $1,000 per teacher per year.

“Teachers are spending too much of their own money on basic classroom needs, and that’s unacceptable,” said WakeEd’s Keith Poston. “The Tools4Schools store exists to ease that burden—and it’s only possible because of the incredible generosity of this community. Whether it’s a box of pencils or a cart full of notebooks, every donation makes a difference.”

The Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive invites individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute by donating supplies, making a financial gift, or shopping the Amazon wish list, which ships items directly to the Tools4Schools warehouse.

School Supply Drop-Off Locations

The Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive will feature drop-off locations across Wake County. Additionally, several businesses and organizations are holding their own school supply drives to collect items for Tools4Schools. If you are interested in hosting a drop box or running a school supply drive at your place of business, complete the form here and download the Community Supply Drive Toolkit here.

Tools4Schools, 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604

Staples stores – all Wake County Locations:

1391 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC
- 921 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC
- 8041 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC
- 3064 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC
- 11845 Retail Drive, Wake Forest, NC
- 1220 Timber Drive East, Garner, NC

YMCA Wake County Locations:

A.E. Finley YMCA, 9216 Baileywick Road, Raleigh, NC
Kerr Family YMCA, 2500 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC
Taylor Family YMCA, 101 YMCA Drive, Cary, NC
Northwest Cary YMCA, 6903 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC
Poyner YMCA, 227 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Alexander Family YMCA, 1603 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
Poole Family YMCA, 2110 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC
Kraft Family YMCA, 8921 Holly Springs Road, Apex, NC
YMCA of the Triangle Association Resource Center, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC
Knightdale Station YMCA, 494 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale, NC
Southeast Raleigh YMCA, 1436 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC

Gladwell Orthodontics Locations:

Wake Forest Location: 2824 Rogers Road, Suite 200, Wake Forest, NC
Rolesville Location: 101 Redford Place Drive, Rolesville, NC
Downtown Raleigh Location: 510 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC
North Raleigh Location: 13271 Strickland Road, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC

Spring Arbor Assisted Living: 1705 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC

The Bachhubers: 612 Hollymont Dr., Holly Springs, NC

Crosspointe Church: 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Rd., Cary, NC

Buffaloe Lanes Cary: 151 High House Rd., Cary, NC

Towne Bank: 7100 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, NC

Grubb Ventures: 3700 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Raleigh: 6675 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 107, Raleigh, NC

Raleigh Specific Chiropractic: 7721 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC

South Cary Dental: 530 New Waverly Place, Suite 302, Cary, NC
West Shore Home – 1203 N New Hope Rd, Raleigh, NC
Sanderson Men’s Lacrosse Team – 1213 Coldstream Ct., Raleigh, NC

How can you support Tools4Schools?

Make a cash donation – DOUBLE YOUR GIFT. All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 with Tools4Schools on the memo line. The 4 Others Foundation will match ALL MONETARY DONATIONS from donors to Tools4Schools through September 30 up to $20,000.

Donate NEW school supplies. WakeEd accepts donations of new classroom supplies year-round to fill the shelves at Tools4Schools. A list of the most popular items requested by teachers can be found here. Donations can be dropped off year-round at Tools4Schools or this summer at one of our supply drive drop-off locations listed above. Please coordinate large deliveries with the WakeEd team at Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.

SHOP our Amazon Wish List. Shop the Amazon Wishlist to buy items most-requested by teachers and ship to the shelves at Tools4Schools. Click here and select the Tools4Schools address at checkout and ship the supplies directly to Tools4Schools.

Donate gently used office supplies. In addition to new classroom supplies, WakeEd Partnership takes donations of gently used items for classrooms from companies, organizations, and individuals. Most requested used items include staplers and tape dispensers.

Host a supply drive. If your business or organization is interested in hosting a supply drive, click here to register your Tools4Schools classroom supply drive and click here to download our classroom supply drive kit and start collecting! If you have any questions, email Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.

Volunteer at Tools4Schools. WakeEd Partnership is seeking volunteers to help stock shelves, interact with educators, inventory supplies, package, and sort supplies. If your family, club, or organization is interested in volunteering, click here to sign up via Activate Good.

Special Events and Supply Drives (More Coming!)

UNC Health will once again hold its annual school supply drive campaign ending on August 7 with a “Stuff the Bus” event at UNC Rex Hospital on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh and will deliver the supplies to the Tools4Schools store. Further details of this event will be announced soon.

For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact WakeEd’s Director of Development Kristen Farrell at kfarrell@wakeed.org.

###

The post Wake Ed Partnership Launches Annual Tools4Schools Supply Drive to Support Wake County Teachers appeared first on WakeEd.

Wake Ed Partnership Launching 2025 Tools4Schools Community School Supply Drive on July 9th

WakeEd — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:58:42 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting the teachers, students, and families of the Wake County Public School System, is launching “Back to School with Tools4Schools” on July 9, an eight-week community-wide school supply drive to help stock the shelves and warehouse at Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School teachers. The drive runs from July 9 to August 22, concluding just before the start of the traditional school year.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, funders, and partners, WakeEd Partnership has provided more than $1.6 million in new school supplies to Wake County Public School teachers since opening Tools4Schools in 2022,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “As public school funding continues to fall short, the demand for free classroom supplies is only growing. With continued public support, we can meet that need and ensure every teacher has the tools to help students succeed.”

This past school year WakeEd’s Tools4Schools served more than 5,000 teachers representing 100% of the schools in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). In a recent survey, 94% of those teachers said Tools4Schools has reduced their out-of-pocket spending. Our teachers spend on average more than $1,000 each year on basic school supplies for their classroom and students.

“It’s simply unacceptable that teachers—who are already underpaid—are forced to spend more than $1,000 of their own money each year just to make sure their students have basic supplies,” said Poston. “The fact that 5,000 teachers from every single Wake County public school turned to Tools4Schools last year shows just how urgent the need is. We cannot expect our educators to shoulder this burden alone. That’s why WakeEd and this community will continue to step up.”

KICK-OFF EVENT AT RETAIL PARTNER – RALEIGH STAPLES

The 2025 Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive will officially kick-off on Tuesday, July 8^th at 11:00 AM with a press event at the Staples store at 3064 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Staples is partnering with WakeEd Partnership for the second year to collect school supplies at all their Wake County stores for community members to drop off donations for the duration of the drive.

“We’re proud to once again support WakeEd Partnership and the incredible Tools4Schools program,” said Brent Zinni, Store Manager at Staples in Raleigh. “Our customers are eager to give back, and we’re excited to provide convenient donation points at all our stores in Wake County to help teachers get the supplies they need.”

School Supply Drop-Off Locations

Tools4Schools, 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Staples stores – all Wake County Locations:
- 1391 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC
- 921 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC
- 8041 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC
- 3064 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC
- 11845 Retail Drive, Wake Forest, NC
- 1220 Timber Drive East, Garner, NC
YMCA Wake County Locations:
- A.E. Finley YMCA, 9216 Baileywick Road, Raleigh, NC
- Kerr Family YMCA, 2500 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC
- Taylor Family YMCA, 101 YMCA Drive, Cary, NC
- Northwest Cary YMCA, 6903 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC
- Poyner YMCA, 227 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
- Alexander Family YMCA, 1603 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
- Poole Family YMCA, 2110 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC
- Kraft Family YMCA, 8921 Holly Springs Road, Apex, NC
- YMCA of the Triangle Association Resource Center, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC
- Knightdale Station YMCA, 494 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale, NC
- Southeast Raleigh YMCA, 1436 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC
Gladwell Orthodontics Locations:
- Wake Forest Location: 2824 Rogers Road, Suite 200, Wake Forest, NC
- Rolesville Location: 101 Redford Place Drive, Rolesville, NC
- Downtown Raleigh Location: 510 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC
- North Raleigh Location: 13271 Strickland Road, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC
Spring Arbor Assisted Living: 1705 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC
The Bachhubers: 612 Hollymont Dr., Holly Springs, NC
Crosspointe Church: 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Rd., Cary, NC
Buffaloe Lanes Cary: 151 High House Rd., Cary, NC
Towne Bank: 7100 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, NC
Grubb Ventures: 3700 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Raleigh: 6675 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 107, Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Specific Chiropractic: 7721 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC
South Cary Dental: 530 New Waverly Place, Suite 302, Cary, NC

How can you support Tools4Schools?

Special Events and Supply Drives (More Coming!)

For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact WakeEd’s Director of Development Kristen Farrell at kfarrell@wakeed.org.

###

The post Wake Ed Partnership Launching 2025 Tools4Schools Community School Supply Drive on July 9th appeared first on WakeEd.

Wake Ed Partnership’s Tools4Schools Supply Drive Collects 400,000+ School Supply Items to Support Wake County Public Schools Teachers

WakeEd — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization that supports teachers and students in Wake County Public Schools, collected more than 400,000 school supply items as part of its “Back to School with Tools4Schools” community school supply drive that officially wrapped up this week. The supply drive was launched July 9 before the new school year started to help stock the shelves at Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s free classroom supply store for Wake County Public Schools teachers.

“This community has come together yet again in a significant way to support the educators and students of Wake County Public Schools,” stated Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “These donated supplies are already making their way into classrooms throughout Wake County, helping to alleviate the financial strain on our incredible teachers who report spending from $900 to $1,300 annually from their own pockets to provide the necessary supplies for their students.”

Since Tools4Schools reopened for the new school year on August 6, 1,061 teachers have shopped and left with $126,117.66 in new classroom supplies at no cost, an average of $119 per shop for each educator. Wake County Public Schools teachers receive 100 points each quarter to “shop” at Tools4Schools.

“The official Tools4Schools summer school supply drive may have ended, but the needs are ongoing and Tools4Schools operates all year long for our teachers,” added Poston. “We need support all year to keep the shelves stocked for the store operating.”

In addition to more than 400,000 school supply items, WakeEd raised at least $70,000 in monetary donations. That total includes a $20,000 challenge match from the 4 Others Foundation. This fundraising drive follows a successful 2023-2024 fiscal year, during when community members, businesses and foundations collectively gave more than $170,000 in monetary donations to Tools4Schools. As school supplies and donations continue to come in, WakeEd expects the final supply drive totals to be even higher.

Besides the official Tools4Schools supply drop-off sites across the county, more than 100 companies and organizations hosted their own supply drives and delivered those items to Tools4Schools. That is more than double the 40-hosted supply drives last year.

Top 2024 Supply Drive Partners

Staples
Office Depot
YMCA of the Triangle
UNC Health
WRAL-TV
Triangle Family Dentistry
Buffaloe Lanes Cary
I Heart Radio Group
Carolina Hurricanes
North Carolina FC/North Carolina Courage
Community Workforce Solutions
Frankel Staffing Partners
Hope Refugee Partners
WakeMed
Ameriprise Financial Services
Massage Envy
Results Physiotherapy
Carolina Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry
Trinity Partners
Grubb Ventures
Spectrum Companies
Zebulon Chamber of Commerce/Zebulon Young Professionals
Wake County Bar Association
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple
Victra

Top Tool4Schools 2023-2024 Year + 2024 Supply Drive Donors

4 Others Foundation
Aetna
Amgen Foundation
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation
Mary Mac and Tom Bradshaw
Bright Ideas Realty
Elizabeth Gant
Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Gojanovich
Benjamin Goldstein
Goodberry’s Creamery, Inc.
LifeWork Collaborative Foundation
Myco Medical Supplies Inc
Publix Super Market Charities
UNC Health
Richard and Cindy Urquhart
W. Trent Ragland, Jr. Foundation
Wake Electric
Wake County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41
Wake County Public School System

How can you support Tools4Schools All Year?

Make a cash donation. All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 with Tools4Schools on the memo line.
Donate NEW school supplies. WakeEd accepts donations of new classroom supplies year-round to fill the shelves at Tools4Schools. A list of the most popular items requested by teachers can be found here. Donations can be dropped off year-round at Tools4Schools. Please coordinate large deliveries with the WakeEd team at Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.
SHOP our Amazon Wish List. Shop the Amazon Wishlist to buy items most-requested by teachers and ship to the shelves at Tools4Schools. Click here and select the Tools4Schools address at checkout and ship the supplies directly to Tools4Schools.
Donate gently used office supplies. In addition to new classroom supplies, WakeEd Partnership takes donations of gently used items for classrooms from companies, organizations, and individuals. Most requested used items include staplers and tape dispensers.
Host a supply drive. If your business or organization is interested in hosting a supply drive, click here to register your Tools4Schools classroom supply drive and click here to download our classroom supply drive kit and start collecting! If you have any questions, email Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.
Volunteer at Tools4Schools. WakeEd Partnership is seeking volunteers to help stock shelves, interact with educators, inventory supplies, package, and sort supplies. If your family, club, or organization is interested in volunteering, click here to sign up via Activate Good.

For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact WakeEd’s fundraising team at development@wakeed.org.

About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a leading independent nonprofit backed by business and community leaders to support the teachers, students, and families of Wake County Public Schools. Since 1983, WakeEd has been committed to improving public education and advocating for excellent educational opportunities for all students. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.

###

The post Wake Ed Partnership’s Tools4Schools Supply Drive Collects 400,000+ School Supply Items to Support Wake County Public Schools Teachers appeared first on WakeEd.

Wake Ed Partnership Launching 2024 Tools4Schools Community School Supply Drive on July 9th

WakeEd — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Help stock the shelves at Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s Free Classroom Supply Store for Wake County Teachers

WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting the teachers, students, and families of the Wake County Public School System, is launching “Back to School with Tools4Schools” on July 9, an eight-week community-wide school supply drive to help stock the shelves and warehouse at Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School teachers. The drive runs from July 9 to August 26, concluding just before the start of the traditional school year.

“Thanks to the generosity of the community and our many funders and partners, we recently surpassed $1 million in new school supplies given away to teachers since we opened Tools4Schools in 2022,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “Due in part to our new centralized location on Capital Boulevard and increased promotional efforts and word of mouth, we doubled the number of supplies distributed and teachers served this past year compared to our first year. We know demand will only increase so the summer supply drive is more important than ever.”

This past year WakeEd’s Tools4Schools served more than 8,000 teachers representing 100% of the schools in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). In a recent survey, 96% of teachers said Tools4Schools has reduced their out-of-pocket spending, which exceeds on average more than $900 a year.

KICK-OFF EVENT AT NEW RETAIL PARTNER – STAPLES

The 2024 Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive will officially kick-off on Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 AM with a press event at the Staples store at 3064 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Staples is partnering with WakeEd Partnership to collect school supplies at all their Wake County stores for the duration of the Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive.

School Supply Drop-Off Locations

• Tools4Schools, 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604

• Staples stores – all Wake County Locations:

o 1391 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC
o 921 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC
o 8041 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC
o 3064 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC
o 11845 Retail Drive, Wake Forest, NC
o 1220 Timber Drive East, Garner, NC

• YMCA Wake County Locations:

 A.E. Finley YMCA, 9216 Baileywick Road, Raleigh, NC
 Kerr Family YMCA, 2500 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC
 Taylor Family YMCA, 101 YMCA Drive, Cary, NC
 Northwest Cary YMCA, 6903 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC
 Poyner YMCA, 227 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
 Alexander Family YMCA, 1603 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
 Poole Family YMCA, 2110 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC
 Kraft Family YMCA, 8921 Holly Springs Road, Apex, NC
 YMCA of the Triangle Association Resource Center, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC
 Knightdale Station YMCA, 494 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale, NC
 Southeast Raleigh YMCA, 1436 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC

• Community Workforce Solutions, CWS 1011 Schaub Drive, Raleigh NC

• Style Street Barbers, 5446 Apex Peakway, Apex, NC

• Carolina Hurricanes, PNC Arena 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC

• Spring Arbor Assisted Living, 1705 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC

• Crosspointe Church, 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC

• Grubb Ventures, 3700 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC

Special Events and Supply Drives (More Coming!)

UNC Health will once again hold its annual school supply drive campaign ending on August 8 with a “Stuff the Bus” event at UNC Rex Hospital on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh and will deliver the supplies to the Tools4Schools store. Further details of this event will be announced soon.

Staples will hold a teacher shopping event at all its Wake County stores on August 10 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The stores will have refreshments and a special gift for teachers. Also, teachers will receive 20% off in-store purchases for their personal needs from June 30 through September 14.

How can you support Tools4Schools?

MAKE A CASH DONATION – DOUBLE YOUR GIFT. All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 with Tools4Schools on the memo line. The 4 Others Foundation will match ALL MONETARY DONATIONS from donors to Tools4Schools through September 30 up to $20,000.

DONATE NEW SCHOOL SUPPLIES. WakeEd accepts donations of new classroom supplies year-round to fill the shelves at Tools4Schools. A list of the most popular items requested by teachers can be found here. Donations can be dropped off year-round at Tools4Schools or this summer at one of our supply drive drop-off locations listed above. Please coordinate large deliveries with the WakeEd team at Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.

SHOP OUR AMAZON WISH LIST. Shop the Amazon Wishlist to buy items most-requested by teachers and ship to the shelves at Tools4Schools. Click here and select the Tools4Schools address at checkout and ship the supplies directly to Tools4Schools.

DONATE GENTLY USED OFFICE SUPPLIES. In addition to new classroom supplies, WakeEd Partnership takes donations of gently used items for classrooms from companies, organizations, and individuals. Most requested used items include staplers and tape dispensers.

HOST A SUPPLY DRIVE. If your business or organization is interested in hosting a supply drive, click here to register your Tools4Schools classroom supply drive and click here to download our classroom supply drive kit and start collecting! If you have any questions, email Tools4Schools@wakeed.org.

VOLUNTEER AT TOOLS4SCHOOLS. WakeEd Partnership is seeking volunteers to help stock shelves, interact with educators, inventory supplies, package, and sort supplies. If your family, club, or organization is interested in volunteering, click here to sign up via Activate Good.

For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact WakeEd’s fundraising team at development@wakeed.org.

#

The post Wake Ed Partnership Launching 2024 Tools4Schools Community School Supply Drive on July 9th appeared first on WakeEd.