Our Mission and History
Crayons2Calculators (C2C) serves the educational and creative needs of students in Durham Public Schools by providing free school supplies to classroom teachers.
Teachers “shop” at the warehouse store C2C operates with the support of individuals, corporations, and grants. Teachers from the highest need schools visit the warehouse on a regular schedule to pick out supplies. Teachers from other schools are invited to Giveaway Events throughout the school year.
Teachers and students need supplies to enrich the instructional program. In many schools, teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets because the supply funds are limited and some parents and guardians are unable to provide the supplies needed.
C2C was started by Duke University students in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative, which aims to motivate and equip students to tackle a pressing social issue in the community. The student team, visiting assistant professor Steve Schewel, and Dr. Tony Brown worked to get C2C off the ground, from filing for tax-exempt status to fundraising and establishing partners. The group also hired the first executive director for C2C in 2007 after its first giveaway event in 2006. Students continued to serve as the movers and shakers of the board until growth and additional partnerships necessitated changes.
Part of this growth resulted from C2C’s partnership with Durham Rotary Clubs for the organization of the Fill That Bus supply drive. This highly successful drive by the Durham Rotary has now become a signature project for C2C with Rotary members and other community organizations playing important roles in this annual project.
Teachers “shop” at the warehouse store C2C operates with the support of individuals, corporations, and grants. Teachers from the highest need schools visit the warehouse on a regular schedule to pick out supplies. Teachers from other schools are invited to Giveaway Events throughout the school year.
Teachers and students need supplies to enrich the instructional program. In many schools, teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets because the supply funds are limited and some parents and guardians are unable to provide the supplies needed.
C2C was started by Duke University students in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative, which aims to motivate and equip students to tackle a pressing social issue in the community. The student team, visiting assistant professor Steve Schewel, and Dr. Tony Brown worked to get C2C off the ground, from filing for tax-exempt status to fundraising and establishing partners. The group also hired the first executive director for C2C in 2007 after its first giveaway event in 2006. Students continued to serve as the movers and shakers of the board until growth and additional partnerships necessitated changes.
Part of this growth resulted from C2C’s partnership with Durham Rotary Clubs for the organization of the Fill That Bus supply drive. This highly successful drive by the Durham Rotary has now become a signature project for C2C with Rotary members and other community organizations playing important roles in this annual project.
