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
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:
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.
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.
