A company devised a fun way to collect school supplies for local students in need. Employees at LendingTree in Charlotte held a cornhole tournament, and the registration entry was used to buy school supplies that will be distributed by Classroom Central through the 9 School Tools program.

LendingTree’s community service team came up with the idea. “Our team is concerned about students in our community,” Stephanie Roberson, a LendingTree employee, said. “We wanted to do something fun and at the same time ensure we helped kids across the county.”

In order to play, each two person team donated $20. “We were able to buy $500 in school supplies,” Roberson said. “We’re still collecting money, so we’ll be able to purchase even more school supplies next week.”

The hope of the organizers was to help support families who may be struggling financially be able to provide their children with basic school supplies to kick of the school year. “It's a new school year and we're hoping that kids are going into school prepared, confident and ready to learn,” Megan Greuling, LendingTree director of communications, said.

By participating in school supply donation drives, the LendingTree employees want to help level the playing field for school-aged children, providing them with the tools and supplies they need to succeed in school.

“Basic school supplies may not be in the budget for families with low incomes or those who are living paycheck to paycheck,” Greuling said. “At LendingTree, we try to focus on empowerment, giving people the tools and information they need to succeed.”

The event organizer’s bought boxes of school supplies made of elements from the 9 School Tools nine most needed items; Filler paper, pencils, composition books, pocket folders, scissors, glue sticks, pens, colored pencils and rulers.

For the past 20 years, in partnership with Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Classroom Central, WSOC-TV collects school supplies, 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. School supplies raised in local fundraisers stay in the collecting county.

“Our hope is that every child walks into school on that first day with the school supplies they need to succeed, without having to add more stress to their family budget,” Greuling said.

“Every little bit helps,” she said, “There is likely some child who could stand to benefit.”

9 School Tools covers 22 counties and is the largest school supply drive in the Carolinas. Over the past 20 years, 9 School Tools has been able to serve over 3 million students.

From now until Aug. 26, you can donate school supplies at over 40 donation locations across the Carolinas. You can find your nearest donation location by clicking on this link 9 School Tools Donation Locations.

You can also donate school supplies at WSOC-TV 9 Family Focus partner locations; Showmars, Ashley HomeStore, Hendrick Honda or ER Plumbing Service.

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

If your organization or business would like to get involved or help with 9 School Tools or if you have an inspiring story to share, please email Kevin Campbell, community affairs manager for WSOC-TV, at kevin.campbell@wsoctv.com.