Dear Friends,
It was such a joyful year for us at Free 2 Teach, working alongside so many of you to invest in teachers and public school children in classrooms across our community. Your support of teachers equips them in their work to ensure that every child has access to not only an equitable education but an excellent one. We envision door decorating contests, rigorous STEM lessons, joyful class birthday parties, smiles, engagement and achievement.
We know that each of these moments is orchestrated by an incredible team of teachers and staff across all 88 schools we serve: from school nurses, to classroom teachers, to speech therapists to librarians and more, every adult is working so hard throughout the school day to make a difference. It is a joy to support their work by providing high-quality resources at no cost because of your support.
Our 2024 numbers tell an incredible story: in 12 months, we have invested $1,568,097.20 into teachers and kids across public 88 schools. This is making a significant difference for kids. Heather Cleckler shared with us: “Free 2 Teach has changed the landscape of learning for my students. You bridge the gap to ensure that teachers are free to teach and students are free to learn. I have no doubt there is a monetary value we can put on these supplies, but there is no number to quantify the high self-esteem, improved self-image, and better outcomes a student will experience who have everything they need the moment they arrive.”
Over the past 12 months, we have experienced some incredible moments including our Transformational partnership announcement with Meta’s Huntsville Data Center and the unveiling their $150,000 investment in our Meta Checkout Center. This was a pivotal moment for our organization and a testament to the work of so many groups and individuals who have nurtured and grown the mission of our organization.
We have celebrated alongside partners in milestones for their organizations like our Distinguished Partners at Schwarze Industries who were the only stop in Alabama on the Association of Equipment Manufacturers cross-country tour highlighting excellence in manufacturing. It was powerful to celebrate this incredible honor alongside their team as they were recognized for 50 years of building street sweepers right here in Huntsville that clean streets around the country and across the world. Our partners are family, and to celebrate their work, growth and achievements is such a joy.
This work is a story of partnership and collaboration. Our incredible team of volunteers and volunteer teams have worked diligently to organize and restock our free store, donating almost 5,000 hours of time to our mission. This is a significant investment in this work, and we would not be where we are today without their commitment of time and energy. We have grown our partnerships with businesses across our community like Landers McLarty Subaru through the Subaru Share the Love Event, Martin Federal’s Martin Connects Program, and Toyota Alabama who surprised us with this end of year gift. There are so many wonderful companies who support this work, we are so incredibly thankful! We are also proud of our growing nonprofit partnerships with Energy Alabama, the Huntsville Botanical Garden and the Enrichment Center, as we work together to better serve teachers and kids. Our team has built an amazing cross-country network to source in-kind resource donations, including securing over $100,000 in free Scholastic books, and nearly half a million dollars in supplies and resources that would have otherwise been thrown away or left unused. This is a story of sustainability, connection, and collaboration. Our growing programs, like our Free 2 Learn Feminine Hygiene Program and our Free 2 Explore STEM Lesson Kit Program speak to the innovation that your support allows for as we seek to meet the needs of teachers and invest in stronger outcomes for our classrooms and schools.
All of this work, effort and energy, makes a difference. I think of educators like fourth grade Lakewood Elementary teacher, Turquoise Tucker, pictured here. Over the past 12 months, we have invested $8,056.75 in supplies and resources into Ms. Tucker’s classroom and students over her 11 shops in 2024. She shared with me, “Coming here is like Christmas every month. I don’t know if I can put it into words. Free 2 Teach is just… everything. I come every month. Every month. This place is so important for my students, thank you.” This is the heart Free 2 Teach: supporting, encouraging and equipping teachers in their work to build strong classroom communities full of engaged readers, young scientists and future leaders.
I am so proud of our team of volunteers, our incredible staff and board, and our community of supporters and friends. What an amazing 2024! I look back at our work together with so much joy and am so excited for all that is ahead. Thank you all and many happy wishes for a wonderful 2025!
Warmly,
Alison Kling
CEO at Free 2 Teach
An outstanding free resource for our public education teachers! Thank you, Alison, for tireless your leadership, efforts and hours promoting Free 2 Teach in our community.