Joined by local elected officials and Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, WakeEd Partnership today officially opened its new location for Tools4Schools, the nonprofit’s free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School teachers. The new building is 1816 Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on the site of the former Bobby Murray Chevrolet car dealership, just down from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
“After launching Tools4Schools two years ago, we are excited to open a new, long-term space for Tools4Schools and WakeEd Partnership that is more centrally located in Wake County making us even more accessible to teachers,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “This move would not have been possible without the support of Wake County Public Schools, the Wake County Board of Education, Wake County Board of Commissioners and our many generous donors and supporters.”
Speakers at today’s event and ribbon-cutting were:
- Chris Heagarty, Chair, Wake County Board of Education
- Susan Evans, Vice-Chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners
- Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, Wake County Public School System
- Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership
Wake County Public Schools teachers spend about $916 out-of-pocket on critical school supplies for their students each school year. Thanks to donor and community support, Tools4Schools has given away more than $769,000 in new classroom supplies to Wake County Public School System teachers since it opened in 2022. The demand continues to grow. Last school year, 3,337 teachers shopped at Tools4Schools. From August to December of this school year, 4,678 teachers have already shopped at Tools4Schools.
MAKE A CASH DONATION. All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can also be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 1816 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604. Please include Tools4Schools on the memo line.
DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES. In addition to Tools4Schools annual Community Supply Drive each summer, WakeEd accepts donations of new and gently used 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 TOOLS4SCHOOOLS 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.
DONATE GENTLY USED OFFICE SUPPLIES. In addition to new 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, count and inventory supplies, package, and sort supplies. If your family, club, or organization is interested in volunteering, click here to sign up via ActivateGood.
For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact our fundraising team at development@wakeed.org.