CLAY COUNTY – The Clay Education Foundation in partnership with The Clay County School District and The Bailey Group kicks off its fifth annual Tools 4 Clay Schools Summer Supply Drive through Sept. 1.

It is estimated that teachers will spend more than $500 of their own money for classroom supplies each year. That’s why the Clay Education Foundation and The Bailey Group created the Tools 4 Clay School Free Teacher Store, with a main location at Garber Automall and at Keystone Heights Elementary. Tools 4 Clay Schools mission is to be a resource for Clay County public school teachers to supply their classrooms with the supplies they need for students to be successful year-round via free teacher shops throughout the year. To date, more than $300,000 worth of school supplies has been given away to teachers, with the next free teacher shop scheduled for Aug. 3 in Keystone Heights and Aug. 8 at Garber.

You can participate by becoming a drop-off point for supply collections, donating supplies and/or volunteering time at the store to prepare for distribution to teachers. A current list of drop-off locations include:

• Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Jail

• Clay County Tax Collector’s Office at Administration Building

• Clay County Utility Authority

• Spring Park Coffee

• Pearle Vision

• Cultivate

• SouthState Bank

• Family Dollar

• VyStar Credit Union Clay locations

Keystone Heights locations:

• Cedar River Seafood

• Julia’s Midtown Cafe

• Locker Room

• Clyde’s Cozy Corner Cafe

• Gifts and Guns

• Bryan’s Ace Hardware

• Florida Cracker Kitchen

• Kane’s Corner

• Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage

Those wanting to donate also can visit https://clayeducationfoundation.com/programs/tools-4-clay-schools/ to shop our Amazon Wishlist or make a monetary contribution via the “Donate” button.

The Clay Education Foundation thanks its business and organization partners for their participation and tremendous generosity to benefit Clay County teachers and classrooms in need.

If you would like more information on how to get involved, please contact Heather Obermiller via email at hobermiller@clayeducationfoundation.org or visit the Foundation’s website at www.clayeducationfoundation.org/.

The Clay Education Foundation creates meaningful partnerships between community, business, and Clay County public schools by enhancing educational programs that benefit students, families, and teachers. As the recognized direct-support 501c3 organization for Clay County School District, we work collaboratively with school leaders to determine how and where private-sector investment and volunteer involvement can have the greatest impact on student success. It invest in educators, literacy, STEM education, and college and career readiness to ensure that public schools in Clay County have the resources they need to prepare students to lead successful, fulfilling lives. By working directly with schools, we can design programs and provide resources that teachers and students need — and that have a direct impact on success. To stay up-to-date on the Foundation’s ongoing mission to connect community to classrooms, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.