'Tools 4 School' supply drive in full swing

Each year, many students are unable to purchase their own school supplies, which leaves that responsibility to the teachers.

This year, the St. Johns County Education Foundation is gearing up for their 8th annual "Tools 4 Schools" supply drive, which started Tuesday.

"Teachers are given a small amount for school supplies, but the budgets have been dramatically decreasing over the years. What happens is that funding has decreased and the needs, especially with the new technology, have increased," said Donna Lueders, executive director of SJCEF.

SJCEF began when Lueders and her colleagues realized that too many teachers were paying for much of the school supplies out of their own pocket.

On average, teachers in St. Johns County spend $600 of their own money in school supplies. The average teacher here makes $41,000 a year.

The most needed school supplies are: Disposable earbuds, flash drives, printing paper, pens, pencils and crayons. The drive will run until Aug. 8.

You can drop off new supplies in blue collection barrels around St. Johns County. Those locations are yet to be determined.

Monetary donations will be accepted as well.

Last year, SJCEF collected $12,000 in school supplies.

"We're very fortunate to have strong supporters," she said.

Sapa, Ameris Bank and Vystar Credit Union are among those.

Collected supplies will be delivered to The Bailey Group Resource Depot which is the permanent facility for all Tools 4 Schools donations. The permanent depot is a continual resource for teachers.