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

Supplying Success

services building, every Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to sort and take bags of supplies back to the teachers at their schools. Schools are grouped according to their geographic location and teachers can shop for supplies online four times each year. Year-round schools are first in line, and some PTAs plan their shopping visits a year in advance.

Links are sent on Sundays and teachers begin shopping early Monday morning, says Dr. Sanders.

“They’re on it,” she says.

Every Wednesday, outside businesses and organizations go to Bacon Street to bring items. Dr. Sanders says more than 150 businesses, churches, and groups are involved.

“Everybody gives,” says Dr. Sanders.

Every August, C2C holds an annual school supply drive. Supplies are expressly collected for new teachers and distributed during new teacher orientation. Door prizes, food trucks, and even tables of gently used items are available.

The Durham Regional Association of Realtors brings a bus and fills it. North Carolina Central University students, with encouragement from their professors, also donate hundreds of items.

Everything from crayons to calculators, copy paper, batteries, and book bags filled with items are donated and brought to the hub where they are sorted into bins so that volunteers can easily pick up the needed items.

“This is going straight to the schools,” says Dr. Sanders. “And these items save the teachers money because they’re taking money from their personal budgets to ensure their students have what they need. They says it feels like Christmas,” she says.

According to its website (www.crayons2calculators.org), the organization gives away more than $100,000 worth of supplies each year.

Dr. Sanders says there is a push to involve more high schools because they don’t have PTAs.

Whitley Harris, also a Club Boulevard PTA member, is a graduate student. “I don’t have a ton of time to go over to the school, but I can always make time for an hour or so to get down to Bacon Street to really shop. I’ve had a fabulous experience. Teachers are obviously doing what they need to do in the classroom. And so, I feel like it was the least I could do to get down here and help them, get the materials together. Take it back to them so it’s really been fantastic,” says Harris.

Blackinton says when she learned of C2C, she began recruiting volunteers to shop. Although she’s passed the gavel, she retained the role of recruiting and organizing shoppers.

“It’s just really well-run. It’s such a resource for our teachers. They appreciate it so much,” she says. “When I deliver them to the school, we set up in the hallway and we let the teachers know that they’re there and as soon as they have a break, the teachers hurry down to grab their bags,” she says.

Harris, who was recruited by Blackinton, in turn encourages other parents to volunteer. “Teachers are asked to do so much and they spend so much out of their pocket. It’s just a huge help to them. I would encourage parents if you have the time, come on down and help shop. It’s just a way to get out and be in fellowship with other people who really believe in public education.”

Evelyn Slappy, retired DPS principal who also taught in Baltimore, Maryland, says the Crayons 2 Calculators program should be in every school system. As an administrator, when teachers asked about supply money, “sometimes you had it, sometimes you didn’t.” Now she can send people to the Crayons 2 Calculators site to shop. “At least here, they don’t have to spend their own money.”

She credits the efficacy of the program, Dr. Sanders’ leadership, and a greatly involved community for the program’s success in supporting teachers.

“To sum it all up, I love it. I thoroughly enjoy it. I feel like I’m giving back,” says Slappy.

“When I was a teacher, we didn’t have a place to come to get supplies. We had to use our own money.”

She’s been involved for five years, since Dr. Sanders asked her to get involved.

“I tell you, it’s a blessing,” she says.

Outside businesses and organizations donate supplies to Crayons 2 Calculators, and an annual supply drive is held. Volunteers organize the supplies and then package teachers’ orders for delivery.