Democratic Women aid teachers with school supplies event
The Forsyth County Democratic Women held a Teachers’ Appreciation and school supplies event on Thursday, Aug. 16, at Bolton Park. Nearly 100 people attended and enjoyed pizza and desserts provided by West End Gelato and Dewey’s Bakery.
Teachers were given bags to shop among the tables of donated school supplies. Diana Gray, the coordinator of the Teachers’ Appreciation Picnic, stated, “This has been a record year for donations. It’s disappointing that the State doesn’t support teachers and make money available for supplies that provide educators and students with the tools they need to succeed.”
Many teachers expressed how much they appreciated being able to pick up supplies for their classrooms before school started. Although there are several local events to donate to students, this is one of the few where teachers can select supplies that they need for their classrooms. Kleenex and hand sanitizer were popular items, along with paper, pencils and notebooks.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), school supplies will cost about $200, on average, per elementary student this year, or $330 and $375 per middle and high school student, respectively. The cost of school supplies and school fees has jumped 88 percent for elementary students, 81 percent for middle school students, and 68 percent for high school students over the past decade, according to the Huntington Backpack Index, which has tracked the cost of school supplies since 2007.
Several candidates running for office attended the event: Denise “DD” Adams, a Winston-Salem City Council member who is running for U.S. House, District 5; John Motsinger Jr., N.C. Senate District 31; a representative for Terri LeGrand, N.C. House, District 74; Tonya McDaniel, County Commissioner District A; Bobby Kimbrough, Jr., Forsyth County Sheriff; and School Board candidates Deanna Kaplan, at-large; Elisabeth Motsinger, at-large; Malishai Woodbury, District 1; Marilynn Baker, District 2; and Rebecca Nussbaum, District 2.
DD Adams stated, “I am proud that Democratic Women have continued to show our support for our educators. We want women to get out and vote because we’re the ones who are going to make change happen.”
This is the fifth year that Forsyth County Democratic Women have held a Teachers’ Appreciation event. They will continue to accept school supplies donations at the Forsyth County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1128 Burke St., which will be donated to the Educator’s Warehouse.
Forsyth County Democratic Women is an affiliate of the Forsyth County Democratic Party. Their purpose is to work to promote friendship and cooperation among Democratic Women of Forsyth County and all counties in North Carolina; to encourage qualified Democratic women to seek public office at the local, state, and national level; to participate in community service that promotes the well-being of women and children; to address issues, especially those affecting women; and to promote and support legislation that will bring social, legal and economic equality to women.
