CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Now that the school year is in full swing, Charlotte Van & Storage partnered with other business leaders from the Charlotte Chamber’s Center Area City Council to collect school supplies for local students and teachers.

The program, called Classroom Central, was initiated in 2002 to provide free school supplies to students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. After conducting a feasibility study to determine the level of need, the Charlotte Chamber discovered that the number of children in need of basic materials was staggering. They committed to the vision of creating a free “store” where teachers can “shop” for the materials their students need.

“This paper drive – and the greater work that Classroom Central does for the community – is improving not only the school environment in Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas, but also the community pride in Charlotte,” said Kris Michalsky, warehouse manager at Charlotte Van & Storage.

The role of Charlotte Van & Storage in the project is an important one: volunteers use a Mayflower truck donated for the Classroom Central school supply drive and do pickups from collection sites around the area. Once the items are collected, they can be used to stock the store. Volunteers Michalsky and Ken Cannon of Charlotte Van & Storage donated their time to this year’s collection.

"Taking part in this project has a personal resonance for me as I have a degree in teaching and a background in the education field. From a firsthand standpoint, I have seen many students who do not have the supplies they need and the teachers that spend their own money to fill in the gaps,” Michalsky said. “Charlotte Van & Storage was proud to be a part of the project and is proud to state that our relationship with Classroom Central will be ongoing for as long as a need for student supplies in our local schools exists."

About Mayflower Transit

Mayflower Transit was founded in 1927 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest van lines. Mayflower transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower’s headquarters offices are located in suburban St. Louis. Further information about the moving company is available at www.mayflower.com.