10 kids, 1 hour, collect 1000s of school supplies for students in need

As many students in our area are preparing to get back to the classroom, students of low-income families having adequate school supplies can drastically change their trajectory toward a successful future.

Despite the difficult year the pandemic has caused, there are students using their skills and talents to help fellow students and their families who have been negatively impacted by the financial ramifications of the virus.

The high school student council at Northside Christian Academy decided to do something to help students in need by collecting school supplies for 9 School Tools.

“Our students, our school knows many families are struggling and are often faced with the decision to either buy food or pay rent,” said Veronica Washington, community outreach coordinator for Northside Baptist Church. “Our high school council wanted to help alleviate the burden on families who can’t afford school supplies for their kids.”

Ten students at Northside Christian spent less than an hour and collected thousands of school supplies.  Cars lined up, and students unloaded everything from backpacks to pencils.

The school sent out an email blast to parents, and the church announced to the congregation. It was an overwhelming success.

“There is beauty when we help our neighbors,” Washington said. “We walk in our purpose to serve God and our community because we are all better together.”

Since 1997, in partnership with Classroom Central and Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the WSOC-TV 9 School Tools program has collected school supplies, which are then distributed for free to students in grades K-12.

The school supplies will be distributed at the Classroom Central’s Free Store, a retail operation where teachers and other school personnel from eligible schools shop for free supplies throughout the academic year.

All materials distributed are used to create inviting learning environments and to support the academic and personal growth of students whose families lack the resources needed to purchase school supplies.

Covering 22 counties, 9 School Tools is the largest school-supply drive in the Carolinas and will run from now through Aug. 31.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION TO CLASSROOM CENTRAL AND 9 SCHOOL TOOLS.

Learn more about 9 School Tools at www.9SchoolTools.com.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, public affairs manager at WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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