Contribution from Amazon’s Garner robotics fulfillment center supports free supply store for Wake County teachers
GARNER, N.C., AUGUST 26, 2026 — Amazon’s robotics fulfillment center in Garner, N.C. is contributing nearly $30,000 in cash and school supplies to Tools4Schools, a free supply store operated through the WakeEd Partnership that gives Wake County teachers access to the materials they need, without having to pay out of pocket.
The donation includes approximately $19,000 in classroom materials, including backpacks, communication boards, mobile whiteboards, roller screens, paint kits, planting kits, rulers, and crayons, collected and donated by the facility’s team, plus a $10,000 cash contribution. The donation comes as North Carolina teachers continue to bear a financial burden: a recent study by CouponBirds found that the average North Carolina teacher spent more than $1,600 of their own money on classroom supplies last year, roughly $600 more than the national average.
“Wake County isn’t just a place we come to work. We live in these communities. Our children go to school in these communities,” said Courtney Ross, Senior Community Engagement Manager for Amazon. “Tools4Schools makes sure teachers can focus on teaching, not on figuring out how to afford supplies. Supporting that mission is a way for us to invest directly into the classrooms that matter most to our employees and their families.”
Since its launch, Tools4Schools has provided more than $2 million worth of new school supplies to teachers in the Wake County Public School System, helping to close the gap between what schools fund and what students actually need.
“Amazon has been an important partner to Tools4Schools since we opened our doors in 2022, helping us get the supplies teachers need directly into their classrooms,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “They’ve been one of our primary sources for bulk supply purchases and power our Amazon Wish List, which has made it incredibly easy for people across our community to support teachers. This generous $10,000 investment, along with today’s delivery of thousands of dollars in school supplies from their Garner operations, truly takes that partnership to another level. We are incredibly grateful to Amazon for continuing to invest in Wake County Public Schools teachers and students.”
Amazon’s Community Investment in North Carolina
Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in North Carolina since 2010, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and employs more than 26,000 people across the state. Beyond its economic footprint, Amazon is an active community partner:
- More than $10 million donated to 25+ local community organizations
- 100,000+ meals delivered on behalf of food banks and nonprofits
- 1,000+ employees engaged in volunteering
- 40,000+ students and 2,000+ teachers reached through education programs
- 600,000+ computer science learning hours supported
To learn more about Amazon’s community investments, visit aboutamazon.com.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
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
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