Carolina Panthers to hold 9 School Tools collection at Friday’s game

Channel 9 and the Carolina Panthers are teaming up to collect school supplies for the thousands of students in need in Mecklenburg County.

Join the Eyewitness News Team, Steve Udelson and Allison Latos, on Friday, Aug. 16, from 4 -6 p.m. for a special 9 School Tools collection at the Carolina Panthers' game. Fans can drop off school supplies at the Panthers Stage on Mint Street.

The most commonly needed school supplies are:

• Pencils • Glue Sticks • Color Pencils • Pocket Folders • Thumb Drives • Composition Books • Binders • Earbuds • Backpacks

WSOC-TV's 9 School Tools campaign is a part of the Channel 9 Family Focus brand and was introduced in 1997. Covering more than 22 counties, this is the largest school supply drive in the Carolinas and has served more than 3 million children to date. In partnership with Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Classroom Central, WSOC-TV collects school supplies for two weeks during August, which are then distributed to students in grades K-12. These items play a big role in preparing students to be successful in the upcoming school year. Supplies collected at the game on Aug. 16 will benefit students in Mecklenburg County.

WSOC-TV is the official television partner of the Carolina Panthers. The Carolina Panthers will collaborate with WSOC-TV on its community projects throughout the year, including Steve’s Coats for Kids, 9 Food Drive and 9 Books for Kids. The Panthers will also take part in WSOC-TV’s Big 22, a season-long contest to name the area’s high school football player of the year.

Cox Media Group