The St. Augustine Education Foundation, operating as Investing in Kids (INK!), kicked off its annual summer fundraiser on June 1 to help fill The Bailey Group Tools 4 Schools Supply Depot. While collection bins have been placed throughout St. Johns County, the community is invited to join INK! for a Stuff the Bus event. It will be at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, during the weekly Farmer’s Market.
“Tools 4 Schools is truly a community event that keeps giving throughout the school year,” said Cathy Newman, INK!’s executive director. “Collected supplies are directly available for our teachers to request and receive, free of charge, to use in their classrooms. This prevents them from paying out of pocket for items necessary for their success and that of their students. We’re so incredibly fortunate to have amazing partners like David Weekley Homes and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre who continue, year after year, to invest in the community.”
Tools 4 Schools is a community-based classroom supply initiative that aims to reduce personal educator expenses and ensure educators and students have the tools required to succeed in the classroom.
According to a 2025 study by AdoptAClassroom.org, teachers’ personal investments in their classrooms have climbed steeply, going from $600 per year in 2015 to an average of $895 just a decade later, an almost 50% increase.
The organization’s 2026 Teacher Impact Survey indicated that more than 93% of teachers have students whose families cannot afford all of the necessary school supplies. That’s where Tools 4 Schools can step in to support both teachers and students. During the 2025-26 school year, INK! delivered more than $143,000 in supplies to classrooms across St. Johns County.
Community members who can’t attend the Stuff the Bus event can help by shopping from INK!’s Amazon wish list at:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EMQ663M4YH8I?ref_=abls_nvfly_yl
They can also drop off supplies at a community collection site or donate directly. Information about donations and collection sites is available at https://ink-stjohns.org/2026/07/01/tools-4-schools-2026-school-supply-drive.
INK! collaborates with community organizations, businesses, churches and individuals to collect school supplies to restock The Bailey Group Tools 4 Schools supply depot.
For more information or to coordinate a community drive effort, contact Shelly Erb at 904-547-7124 or email shelly.erb@stjohns.k12.fl.us.
