Teen has donated to School Tools for 9 years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sorting is underway after all of the donations that came in Wednesday during Channel 9's School Tools collection day.

There were a lot of first-time donors as well as some that have become very familiar to the event.

Cecil Neal brought binders and an entire truck bed filled with new school supplies.

It's nothing new for this retired sheriff's deputy who has been supporting School Tools since 2008.

That same year, C.J. Cuica also dropped off donations. He was 7 years old at the time. He’s been dropping off items since he was a young boy, and is still giving back nine years later.

He's almost 13 now and once again, he and his sister Anna brought more than 2,000 donations.

“I asked my mom when I was really young what happens to the kids who don't have school supplies and she said, ‘Let's have a drive to give them school supplies’ and nine years later, here I am,” Cuica said.

Generosity like that will make all the difference for local children in need.

Gina Salvati, whose Communities in Schools organization works with many of those kids, thinks that's really what motivates donors.

“They know the impact that it makes directly on that child,” Salvati said. “It's a game changer for kids.”

Our partners at Classroom Central will get those donations to kids who really need them.

You can still donate through Friday, at any local Showmars or Ashley Furniture Homestore. Visit www.9schooltools.com has more information.

WSOC