Ballantyne’s Backyard celebrates students with school supply drive

Every year, the Ballantyne community rallies together for its annual Color the Park School Supplies Drive, benefiting Classroom Central.

Classroom Central equips students in need by collecting and distributing free school supplies to local teachers. This upcoming school year, the need is even greater as teachers work to overcome pandemic learning loss.

On Friday, Live at 11, an outdoor concert in Ballantyne’s Backyard, is just one of the ways you can support the cause and enjoy a festive Friday night concert.

To attend, donate at least $1 per person at the event entrance. Proceeds and a portion of vendor sales go toward the Color the Park School Supplies Drive.

Schedule

5 p.m. Live at 11 in Ballantyne’s Backyard opens 11611 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. Parking is free.
5:30 p.m. Buddy Dukes
6:30 p.m. Groove Machine

Through Aug. 14, Northwood Office is hosting many opportunities for the Ballantyne community to support 9 School Tools.

This year, Ballantyne hopes to raise $10,000.

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 free to students in grades K-12.

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

You can donate the school supplies at any Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, E.R. Plumbing Services and Charlotte Fire Department stations.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A DONATION LOCATION NEAR YOU.

Financial donations can also be made to the 9 School Tools program that supports Classroom Central.

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.

1 in 2 students comes to school without the supplies needed to succeed. You can help change that. Donate $9 to provide homework supplies for students. @classrmcentral https://t.co/qE7fq6gWZV
— WSOC-TV Community News (@9FamilyFocus) July 12, 2021