Make a Gift to our Christmas in July Campaign

Dear Friends

As I write this letter, I am listening to the sounds of carts moving around the warehouse, boxes getting unpacked, and a lot of laughter. At Free 2 Teach, our volunteers are growing in number and in friendship. It has been so exciting to see such a strong group of both individuals and teams coming through the warehouse each day. We are a volunteer-driven organization. This year groups and individual volunteers have donated 5,146 hours of their time. Wow!

Together, our volunteers and our financial supporters allow us to do so much. This school year we hosted 2,338 teacher shops resulting in $1,215,947 in supplies going out to all 84 public schools across Madison County’s 3 school systems. Thank you for helping us meet the needs of children in our community. Our volunteers and donors are truly making an impact on students. You supported over 30,000 children this school year with supplies. These resources enriched learning and relieved the financial pressure on students, teachers, and families.

Kay Grant has volunteered with us for the past year and brings her own junior volunteer, baby Taylor! “I love that I can get these supplies into the hands of our students. It levels the playing field,” says Grant. “This is such a great environment, everyone is super supportive and there’s always something new – you never know what is going to come through the door or what a box of donations will hold. It is so fun here!”

We love hosting groups as well. Our Distinguished Partner, Raytheon Technologies, is a wonderful example. In her role as Corporate Responsibility Officer, Natalie Lapacek-Trout loves to bring volunteer groups from Raytheon. She shares: “Volunteering at Free 2 Teach is a fantastic opportunity to get out of the office to give back to our local teachers. Every time we’ve come to help at the warehouse, we are given tasks we know are helping the organization and its amazing staff. When we stock, organize, and sort donated supplies, it helps us all get our focus away from our computers and work together as a team towards a mission we are proud to support.”

Thank you for investing in this work. We could not support teachers and children without this community of volunteers and donors. You are getting vital supplies onto our shelves, into teacher carts and out into the community. Thank you for considering partnering with us this July. A gift of any amount puts supplies into the hands of children. To give this summer, simply return the enclosed card or go online to www.free-2-teach.org/donate. If you are interested in volunteering or bringing a group, head to www.free-2-teach.org/volunteer to learn more.

Thank you and Merry Christmas in July from Free 2 Teach!

Alison Kling, Executive Director, Free 2 Teach