January 13, 2022
WakeEd Partnership’s Free Classroom Supply Store for Wake County Teachers Opens Next Week
RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting teachers and students in Wake County, will officially open Tools4Schools, a new free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) teachers on Tuesday, January 18th. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and first wave of teacher shoppers is scheduled for 11:00 AM.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors in this community and a partnership with the Wake County Board of Education and the Wake County Public School System, a place where our teachers can get supplies they need for their classrooms and students – and too often buy out of their own pockets – is now a reality,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “We’re so excited to open Tools4Schools and provide this tangible support for our educators and their students.”
North Carolina public school teachers spend on average $526 of their own money on classroom supplies each year.
“Every student should start each school day with confidence knowing they have the materials they need for school and no teacher should have to spend their own dollars to make that a reality. This new effort will help bridge that gap,” Poston added.
Tools4Schools is located at 1660 Piney Plains Drive in Cary, just across from Crossroads Shopping Center at the former Crossroads Ford dealership site.
Tools4Schools will first open by targeting the highest need schools in Wake County by invitation to sign up for time slots to visit the store. WakeEd will add schools over the next few months until all schools and teachers in Wake County are being served.
The new school and classroom supplies available at Tools4Schools are being bulk purchased by WakeEd utilizing grants and donations from companies, foundations, other organizations, and individual donors. In addition to cash donations, WakeEd Partnership will be soliciting donations of new and gently used items for the classrooms from companies, organizations, and individuals, as well as serving as a one-stop drop for any school supply drives that wish to partner with Tool4Schools.
“We’re thrilled with the community response so far, but the needs are great, and all donations will make a huge difference for our students and teachers here in Wake County,” Poston added.
All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609, with Tools4Schools on the memo line.
For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships or hosting supply drives, contact WakeEd’s Fundraising Chief Lisa Mead at lmead@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.
