9 School Tools

Domtar’s Powerful Pages initiative equips students with school supplies

Due to the transition to a virtual learning environment for Carolina schools, parents and families are finding it 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 help from Classroom Central to provide simple supplies, such as paper and pencils.

Classroom Central collects and distributes free school supplies to students living in poverty.

Many community members and organizations are stepping up to help the nonprofit, like Domtar, a local paper company which is hosting its first virtual school supply drive.

“Promoting education and emphasizing literacy is part of Domtar’s commitment to support the sustainable development of our communities,” said Jan Martin, senior manager of media and community relations at Domtar.

Through its Powerful Pages initiative, the organization engages with organizations and schools to help equip students for learning and share the love of reading.

“Studies have shown that starting the school year with the necessary school supplies promotes learning, boosts self-esteem, and helps keep kids succeed in school,” Martin said.

For many families, the needs of the home sometimes outweigh needs at school. When a family must choose between buying enough food for dinner or paying the power bill, the pressure of purchasing school supplies is an added expense that families can’t afford.

“When a student is not equipped for school, they feel ostracized because of their poverty,” Martin said. “School supplies help create equitable classrooms where equal-learning environments exists for all students.”

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.

A 9 School Tools financial donation program is in place with different levels of giving that will support the needs of Classroom Central.

“Even the smallest donation adds up to make a difference,” Martin said. “It’s not the size of the contribution, but the outcome of what a person’s giving produces.”

Donors can equate their monetary donation to what can be supplied by Classroom Central.

Here are some of the giving levels:

  • 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, mathematics) kits.

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

You can also donate school supplies at any Showmars, Ashley HomeStore and E.R. Plumbing Services until August 14.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A DONATION LOCATION NEAR YOU.

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