WS Chronicle

State Rep. Ed Hanes Jr. has announced an agreement with The UPS Stores of the Triad to provide all teachers in Alamance, Davidson, Forsyth and Guilford counties with 100 free photo copies per month for the 2014-2015 school year.

With more than 15,000 teachers in these counties, the partnership could mean that as much as $150,000 per month in free printing cost could be provided.

Hanes, who had previously brokered a similar deal with a Winston-Salem UPS store for Forsyth County teachers, said he hopes this new agreement helps to improve classroom efficiency.

Ed Hanes Jr.

“As a classroom teacher in Durham County earlier in my career, there were challenges in having enough printed material for all my students. Printing is a large expense and one that our school administrators have to keep a close watch on,” said Hanes, a Democrat who is in his second term representing Forsyth County. “After speaking with several teachers and gaining a better understanding of the limitations, I contacted the UPS Store locally to see if they could help. We ran the program in Forsyth County only for the 2013-2014 school year with great success. Now, by expanding this program, we could have an even greater impact on the Piedmont Triad. My colleagues from both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly have joined me in this effort. Needless to say, I couldn’t be happier with the level of support The UPS Store is offering our schools.”

Last year’s Forsyth County partnership was spearheaded by Amy-Ruth Hallett, owner of The UPS Stores on Knollwood Street and in Lexington.

To expand the program, she reached out to other The UPS Store owners – Hank Kronbach (Forsyth & Guilford), Ross Houston (Guilford), Reza Mowlanejad (Alamance, Forsyth and Davidson), Linda Overfelt (Forsyth), William Lane (Forsyth), Paul Karonis (Forsyth), Anne Wyrick (Guilford), Philip Haworth (Guilford) and Bryan Austin (Guilford), all of whom signed on.

“Representative Hanes has consistently updated us on the policy making in Raleigh and how it impacts constituents across his District”, said Hallett. “This was a great opportunity for The UPS Store to get involved on the ground level in saving schools money on printing expenses which, in turn, can be redirected to more critical needs. We’re happy to work with Representative Hanes and his colleagues in this effort to support our local teachers.”

The free printing offer is valid from August 2014 through May 2015. Teachers may take advantage of this opportunity on Tuesdays or Saturdays only with proper school identification.

“Public-private-sector cooperation, marshaling of resources and the sharing of ideas is necessary to find successful solutions to make public education more efficient,” said Hanes. “I’m trying to build as many examples as possible of collaboration for the public good. Teachers have overwhelmingly welcomed this cost-saving, public/private initiative. My hope is that more business people will step forward as The UPS Store has demonstrated and find a way to get increasingly involved in the day-to-day movement of our city, county and state, especially as that relates to the advancement of children.”

For more information teachers may contact Amy-Ruth Hallett at 336-703-0035 or via email at store4367@theupsstore.com.