9 School Tools Collection Day: Helping students in need

Channel 9 is asking for your help to collect school supplies for students in need across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Our 9 School Tools Collection Day was held on Wednesday at the WSOC-TV studios on West 23rd St.

Resident James Miller brought bookbags, markers, and pencils to our studios.

“Because kids need things and when they go to school in the fall and they have the things they need, it’s easier for the teachers,” Miller said. “One less thing we have to worry about finding them stuff, just to get started.”

Generous people with big hearts for kids stopped by Channel 9 throughout the day.

Lucinda Blue is an educator and wanted to do her part.

“I know you all do this every school year,” said Blue, a School Tools donor. “This is great to make sure students are ready for school, regardless of their age.”

Every item will go to a local teacher or child who needs it.

Classroom Central helps with that distribution, and Director Karen Calder said the need is great.

“When students show up for school without the necessary supplies, they start to feel like school is not for them and then they lose interest in learning,” Calder said. “And that can create this downward spiral that really can affect the rest of their lives.”

Much of the day’s giving came in the name of one man: Cecil Neal.

He supported all of Channel 9′s collections over the years.

Neal passed away in June, so now others are carrying on his legacy.

Cynthia Hoover brought items from members of Neal’s church, McClintock Presbyterian.

“Every year, he would come with his truck, his pickup truck, and it would be packed with food or school supplies, so we at McClintock wanted to give back just a little bit in his memory,” Hoover said.

Members of Neal’s family pulled up in his truck, which was loaded, once again.

His relatives from across the country donated a lot of supplies.

While at Channel 9, they smiled remembering how Neal’s giving was as big as his heart.

“And I never will forget the scene where he jumps up on the back of that truck,” said Carolyn Greene, his niece. “And I thought he was going to break his neck.”

“My phone started ringing, there goes your uncle. Your uncle is on TV, said Willette Berryman, his great-niece.

Neal’s legacy carries on helping countless children across our community.

WSOC-TV’s 9 School Tools campaign was introduced in 1997 and has served millions of children in dozens of counties across the Carolinas.

Online monetary donations can be made using this secure link.

You can also drop off school supplies through August at any of these participating locations.