SUPPLYING SUCCESS
SUPPLYING
SUCCESS
Crayons 2 Calculators provides needed boost for teachers
hen teachers post and send home the lists of supplies they need for their classrooms, they’re usually prepared to purchase those items regardless of whether they are purchased and donated or not. Because teachers are selfless. They spend an average of $400 a year on pencils, tissues, paper, and other resources to support lessons and to bring some of the comforts and conveniences of home into the classroom. Retired principal Dr. Eunice Sanders is well aware of the needs of a classroom teacher. As an educator, she bought supplies for her own classroom. As an administrator, she was aware of the out-of-pocket expenses teachers incurred when they purchased inventory. That’s why she joined the Crayons 2 Calculators (C2C) Board. The organization was founded 18 years ago by former mayor Steve Schewel to support teachers. Dr. Sanders’ involvement began as a board member. Now the executive director, she leads the organization’s work to collect supplies for classrooms throughout the district. Now in her fifth year at the helm, Dr. Sanders says she has seen tears of joy when teachers are gifted with the treasures donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses. The organization’s volunteers know the feeling as well.
It’s a great feeling, they say, to literally be the bearers of “good news”-- the news being that the teachers’ supplies are bagged and ready to share. “This is a well-oiled machine. I came last year and I was so impressed. And when they asked if I wanted to volunteer, I said yes!” says Theresa Dowell Blackinton, a Club Boulevard Elementary School volunteer who led the school’s PTA for two years. Volunteers–school PTA members and others–come to the C2C hub, located at the district’s Bacon Street central
Supplies are organized into bins for easy teacher shopping.
SPARK INSIDER 3
