Students help students in need by collecting school supplies

As many students in our area are preparing to get back to the classroom, students of low-income families having adequate school supplies can drastically change their trajectory for a successful future.

Despite the difficult year the pandemic has caused, there are students using their skills and talents to help fellow students and their families who have been negatively impacted by the financial ramifications of the virus.

The high school student council at Northside Christian Academy has decided to do something to help students in need by collecting school supplies for 9 School Tools.

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.

Classroom Central’s Free Store is a retail operation where teachers and other school personnel from eligible schools shop for free supplies throughout the academic year.

All materials distributed are used to create inviting learning environments and to support the academic and personal growth of students whose families lack the resources needed to purchase school supplies.

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

Imagine a child struggling and being teased by other children for not having what they need in class.

They might feel ashamed or that they don’t belong.

They might feel embarrassed asking to borrow a pencil or paper every day.

In response, students at Northside Christian will have a drive-up school supply donation drive on Aug. 21 from 11:00 a.m. - noon on their campus at 333 Jeremiah Blvd, Charlotte.

Here is a list of some of the most needed items the students hope to collect:

· Paper: lined paper, copy paper, construction paper, spiral notebooks, composition books, index cards

· Pencils and pens: blue or black pens, #2 pencils, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, pencil case, colored markers, crayons, highlighters, dry-erase markers

· General supplies: dry-erase boards, paper clips, 3-ring 2″ binders, pocket folders, report covers

· Classroom staples: stapler, staples, rulers, protractors, glue sticks, scissors, tape, calculator

· Things you can never have too much of these days: tissues, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer

Through the end of the month, you can also donate the school supplies at any Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, E.R. Plumbing Services and at 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.

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