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Columbia County nonprofit launches school supply drive

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 18:00 GMT by WCJB
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Columbia County Nonprofit Launches School Supply Drive to Light Up Students’ Futures

By [Your Name]
Columbia County, September 7, 2025

When the first snowflake fell over the town of Lexington this week, the local nonprofit Columbia County Community Care (CCCC) was already in the middle of a flurry of activity. The organization—long known for its hands‑on support of families in need—has launched its largest school‑supply drive to date, aiming to gather essential school supplies for more than 2,500 students across the county’s public schools.

A Year‑Long Plan in the Making

CCCC’s director, Emily Navarro, says the drive is the culmination of months of planning. “We’ve been collecting data on what schools are most in need for the upcoming academic year,” she told reporters from the Columbia County Gazette. “And we discovered that nearly one in five students is missing at least one key set of supplies—pencils, notebooks, backpacks, even calculators.”

The nonprofit’s founder, Tommy Ellis, was a schoolteacher before turning his passion for service into an organization that partners with local businesses, churches, and volunteer groups. “When you’re on the ground as a teacher, you see the gap between what a child has and what they need,” Ellis recalled. “It was time to take a stand.”

The Drive’s Mechanics

Drop‑off Points
The drive’s official launch was marked by a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the county courthouse. From that day forward, students and parents can drop off or pick up school supplies at a rotating list of drop‑off points:

• Lexington High School (9 AM–3 PM)
• Cedar Springs Middle School (10 AM–2 PM)
• St. Mary’s Catholic School (9 AM–5 PM)
• The Columbia Community Center (7 AM–8 PM)

All items must be brand‑new, in pristine condition, and appropriately labeled with the student’s name and grade level. The nonprofit’s website lists specific items that are in highest demand: spiral notebooks, pencil cases, backpacks, rulers, and calculators.

Online Inventory and Matching
CCCC has also launched a companion web portal, allowing parents to upload a digital “shopping list” for their children. The system will automatically match donated items with those needs. For instance, if a student needs a set of math manipulatives, the portal will alert nearby donors of that particular need.

Corporate Partnerships
The nonprofit secured an impressive partnership slate this year. Staples, Office Depot, and The Home Depot have all pledged to match all donations up to $50,000 each. “We’re proud to support our community’s students,” said Staples’ regional manager, Lisa Martinez. “Education is a shared responsibility.”

The Human Stories Behind the Supplies

The drive’s urgency is grounded in stark reality. At the Westbrook Elementary School, principal Jamal Rodriguez explained that over 200 students come to school with no notebooks. “When students can’t write down what they learn, it’s a hard loss for the entire curriculum,” Rodriguez said.

For many families, the drive represents more than just a basket of school supplies—it’s a lifeline. Maria Santos, mother of a seventh‑grade student, shared her gratitude. “We’re a single‑income household,” she said. “Having a backpack that fits all my kid’s books and a stack of notebooks makes a world of difference.”

Another key element is the drive’s community‑led volunteer base. Over 300 volunteers have signed up to sort, package, and deliver items. Volunteer coordinator Ari Patel noted that most volunteers are high school and college students who say the drive provides a meaningful way to give back. “It’s also a learning experience,” Patel added. “We get to see how small actions can create big impacts.”

Funding the Drive

The nonprofit’s CEO, Sofia Kim, highlighted the importance of sustaining the drive beyond the initial collection period. “We are not just raising supplies; we’re also building a model of community philanthropy that can be replicated next year and beyond,” Kim explained. To this end, CCCC is running a “Back‑to‑School Fund” through the county’s philanthropic foundation, a local crowdfunding campaign, and a series of “Supply‑Drive Auctions” that are slated to take place in October.

In addition, the nonprofit plans to collaborate with the Columbia County School District to track usage and distribution metrics, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The Road Ahead

With the drive officially launched, CCCC sets its sights on a realistic goal: to cover the school‑supply needs of every student in the county by October 31. The organization is also planning a “Summer Supply Drive” later in the year, targeting those in low‑income households who may struggle to replace lost or damaged supplies.

“Education is the foundation of our community’s future,” said Director Navarro in her closing remarks. “By providing these basic tools, we’re giving students the chance to build confidence, ambition, and success. And that’s a gift we’re all proud to share.”

How to Get Involved

The nonprofit’s website, www.ccccommunitycare.org, offers a user‑friendly donation platform. Donors can choose to give items directly, fund a specific supply type, or contribute a monetary donation that will be used to purchase the most needed supplies. For volunteers, a quick sign‑up form lists upcoming sorting and delivery sessions.

The community’s response has already been overwhelming. “It’s amazing to see how many people are stepping up,” said Pastor John Lewis of St. Mary’s. “This is a testament to the spirit of Columbia County.”

With the school year looming, the drive has quickly become a beacon of hope for thousands of students. As the nonprofit’s volunteers sort and bundle supplies, the simple act of a pencil in a child’s hand becomes an emblem of the county’s commitment to nurturing its future leaders.

For more information on the Columbia County School Supply Drive, visit www.ccccommunitycare.org or call 555‑123‑4567.