A VISION IS BORN
In early 2000, a team of business leaders from the Charlotte Chamber's Center City Area Council set out to provide free supplies to the children of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system.  This team of community leaders conducted a feasibility study to gauge the level of need of students and teachers in the Charlotte community.  The number of children in need of basic materials was staggering.  The Charlotte Chamber, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and area businesses committed to this vision and the first steps were underway to create a "free store" for teachers.

CLASSROOM CENTRAL'S FIRST GIFT
In the spring of 2002, the Carolina Panther's Childrens Charities foundation partnered with Classroom Central, providing a generous gift of $200,000 in seed money to start the free teacher's store.  The dedication of the Carolina Panthers' staff to see our vision become reality was inspiring.

BUILDING MOMENTUM
In June of 2002, Karen Calder was hired as the organization's Executive Director.  Karen's passion for the program was contagious and we quickly identified a location for the store.  With the assistance of the Charlotte Homebuilders Association and Harris Teeter, the store's transformation was completed in September 2002.  Simultaneously, the Board of Directors and staff worked to secure product and monetary donations. 

SURPASSING EXPECTATIONS
After many years of preparation, Classroom Central opened it's doors on October 8, 2002, and currently serves over 126 schools, 6,482 teachers and 86,000 students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding districts.  In the almost five and a half years that the organization has been in existence, more than $12 million in free school supplies has been distributed!

THANK YOU!
Classroom Central would not be possible without the relentless efforts of our Board of Directors, donors and volunteers. Because of their hard work and dedication over the past 5 years, our dream has been made a reality!