Hornets slam-dunk to help students who need school supplies

The Charlotte Hornets volunteered at Classroom Central July 19-23, as part of their 2021 annual Hornets Week of Service in partnership with Bank of America. The combined team put together 9 School Tools supply kids for Classroom Central.

For the sixth summer, the Hornets are again hosting a weeklong celebration of volunteerism, enabling Hornets team members and Bank of America employees to participate virtually in helping local nonprofit organizations.

Throughout the week, more than 1,000 volunteers from the Hornets and Bank of America participated remotely on projects that will impact nearly 20,000 individuals through local nonprofits that help address issues facing the Charlotte community.

Other projects include:

• Packing “laundry bags” to be distributed by Hope Vibes
• Assembling baby swaddle gift packages to be given to families of newborns by Baby Bundles
• Making lunches for Roof Above neighbors
• Creating wreaths for Habitat for Humanity to provide to families moving into new homes

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 now through Aug. 31.

Classroom Central’s Free Store is designed to provide all the materials teachers need to create successful learning environments.

In addition to basic supplies like pencils, paper, notebooks, glue sticks and folders, teachers will find backpacks, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) materials and lesson plans, a literacy section that includes books and lesson plans, copy paper, arts and crafts materials, classroom decorations, cleaning supplies, personal care items and more.

The average value of supplies received by a teacher in one shop is about $400.

According to Classroom Central, about 127,000 children in the Charlotte region lack the basic school supplies they need to be successful in school.

With a difficult past year and the economic downturn, families will find it even more difficult to access supplies for their kids to complete their school year and not fall behind.

Many of the more vulnerable and low-income families depend on Classroom Central for assistance.

You can donate 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.

For example:

· A donation of $9 will help provide homework supplies for students.

· A donation of $25 will help fill a student’s backpack with school supplies.

· A donation of $50 will supply a teacher with essential school items.

· A donation of $100 will supply an entire class with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) kits.

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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