SCBIZ Daily Staff

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Verizon employees statewide recently collected more than $11,800 in school supplies to donate to local schools and nonprofit organizations during a two-week, company-wide “Tools for School” drive. 

Nationwide, Verizon employees donated an estimated $300,000 worth of pens, pencils, rulers, crayons, backpacks and other items to more than 300 schools and nonprofits across the country.

The Tools for School drive is in response to a study by Quality Education Data that reveals K-12 teachers spend an average of $475 of their own money each year to buy classroom materials and supplies.

“Supporting education and literacy has long been a primary social cause for Verizon,” said Stan Bugner, Verizon vice president of public affairs, policy and communications in South Carolina. “Whether it's by providing interactive educational tools on Verizon's Thinkfinity.org Web site, or pencils and crayons for the classroom, Verizon will continue to support efforts to give parents, students and teachers the tools needed to help all children succeed.”

Thinkfinity.org is an online portal to grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans and other materials. It was created by the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, in conjunction with educational and literacy organizations across the nation.