Channel 9 School Tools

At E.R. Services, one of our core passions is helping our community. Our owner, Dave Parker, and the E.R. Services staff volunteer in a variety of ways. E.R. Services first started volunteering for the Channel 9 School Tools school supplies drive in summer of 2016, and we hope you'll join us in summer of 2020 as we continue to make a difference in the lives of children in the Charlotte metro area.

Partnership with WSOC TV Channel 9 Family Focus

We are a proud partner of 9 Family Focus, WSOC-TV’s special program highlighting local organizations and individuals who are doing good for our community.

school-tools-august-3-crayon-thursday-er-plumbingWSOC-TV's 9 School Tools campaign has been an annual event since 1997. Serving over 22 counties, this is the largest school supply drive in the Carolinas. To date, over 3 million children have received school supplies as a result of this effort.

In partnership with Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Classroom Central, WSOC-TV collects school supplies during the month of August, which are then distributed to students in grades K-12. These items play a big role in preparing students to be successful in the upcoming school year.

The School Tools Drive happens every summer.

2020 Channel 9 School Tools

The results from this year’s 9 School Tools drive are in! We had a remarkable response from the community, and donations were way up over last year. Throughout our 22 counties, over $350,000 was raised with a majority in Mecklenburg County where $301,212 was donated to help students achieve their goals. The monetary donations and physical donations equate to 3,315,124 school supply items which can serve 736,694 students.

In 2019, we had a total of 1,222,399 items. We've had a phenomenal collection.

With a lot of rethinking in our marketing strategies, we made 9 School Tools work this year and the community continues to realize the importance of local students in need.

Thank you for your partnership. Over the past 7 months, we've heard "these uncertain times" a lot. In those same months, the community campaigns of 9 Family Focus have generated over $500,000 in donations. We are better together!

2018 Channel 9 School Tools Results

Charlotte plumbing company school supply drive Over one million school supply items were donated in 2018, benefiting 862,708 children this fall.

For the past few years, we've been a part of the Channel 9 School Tools Drive.

Citizens dropped off donations at the E.R. Services office located at 11345 Allen Station Dr in Mint Hill. While E.R. Services provides plumbing services 24/7, donations were accepted between 9-5, Monday through Friday for the duration of the school supply drive (through August 26, 2018).

Several special events additionally supported the donation of school supplies and made the charitable effort a little more enjoyable for participants.

  • The NASCAR Hall of Fame event took place at 400 E. M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, August 15 from 11:30am-1:00pm. Entertainment was provided, and a few local celebrities were on site.
  • E.R. Services supported the special collection day at the WSOC TV station on Wednesday, August 22. Donors dropped off school supplies between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the station, which is located at 1901 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, NC.

Pictures from the School Tools Events

The 9 School Tools kickoff event went off without a hitch August 9, 2018! The following are some pictures from the life-changing event.

erp-2017-school-tools-kick-off-event-dave-parker erp-2017-school-tools-kick-off-event-presenters-celebrities

2017 School Tools Drive

Our second year volunteering with the Channel 9 School Tools drive was a great success!

Between July 20th and August 20th, citizens were encouraged to drop off donations at the E.R. Services office located at 11345 Allen Station Dr in Mint Hill.

Several special events occurred to support the donation of school supplies and to
make the charitable effort a little more enjoyable for participants.

On Wednesday August 9th donations were collected at the NASCAR Hall of Fame between
11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The event took place at 400 E. M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard in Charlotte,
NC. Entertainment will be provided, and a few local celebrities were on site providing entertainment.

E.R. Services staffed and supported the special collection day at the WSOC
TV station on Wednesday August 16, 2017. Donors dropped off school supplies between 10
a.m. and 7 p.m. at the station, which is located at 1901 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, NC.
On August 19, 2017, Charlotte area residents also donated by leaving (marked) school supplies
in U.S. Postal Office mailboxes around the metro area. U.S.P.S. employees picked up the
school supplies donated from residential mailboxes on that day. The donations were
labeled "Channel 9 School Tools Donation" to ensure they get delivered to the distribution
center.

2016 School Tools Drive

Our first year volunteering with the School Tools drive was an exciting start to an annual tradition.

“E.R. Services is very pleased with the results,” says Dave Parker, owner of the Charlotte plumbing service and volunteer for the Channel 9 School Tools drive. “Anybody with school-aged kids knows that the cost of school supplies keeps increasing, and many families simply can’t afford to put food on the table, clothe their kids and pay for school supplies. When it becomes a question of pay the rent or buy school supplies, kids go to school without the necessary tools for learning.”

“Teachers can’t be expected to bridge the gap, either,” Parker says. “They are already expected to provide many school supplies for the classroom. Schools are overextended and looking for ways to cut expenses; this leaves it up to the community to come together and support the kids in low-income homes by donating whatever possible to make up the difference.”

The Charlotte plumbing company strives to participate in charitable efforts throughout the year. “Our company is particularly interested in supporting efforts that benefit children. The children of Charlotte are the city’s future. That’s why the company has supported the Ronald McDonald House, winter coat donation efforts, food drives and now the school supplies drive.”

The Channel 9 school supply drive accomplishes more than just getting supplies into the hands of Charlotte kids. “Channel 9 did a great job of providing food and fun entertainment for the families that dropped off supplies, especially at the opening event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Parker says. “It was great to see local sports team mascots and NASCAR drivers interacting with the kids and encouraging Charlotte to come together for a good cause.”

Charlotte Plumbers that Care

Join us as we make a difference in the Charlotte community. When we share with others, our blessings increase. There's still plenty of time to get involved! Check back in July 2019 to join us. We hope to see you as we give back to the Charlotte community.