Teacher Store holds school counselor supply giveaway this week

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Teacher Store will hold a special event for area K-12 school counselors in honor of National School Counseling Week, Feb. 7-11. School Counselors Score! will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Linn Area Credit Union Business Center, 3015 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit www.teacherstore.org/events.

At the event, school counselors will receive 50 Teacher Bucks to exchange for free supplies from the Teacher Store. Supplies include items needed for basic skills testing, such as earbuds, pencils, and calculators; office supplies, such as pens, dry erase markers, facial tissues, and hand sanitizer; and clothing for students, such as mittens, hats, socks and sweatpants.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide supplies that schools are running low on, and that teachers — and in this case, school counselors — typically buy for their students out of their own pockets,” said Lori Vana, Teacher Store board president and Linn Area Credit Union business development manager. Originally the Cedar Rapids Teachers’ Credit Union, Linn Area Credit Union continues to help educators by driving education-focused initiatives like the Teacher Store.

Currently in its 13th year, the Teacher Store operates as a mobile unit to visit K-12 schools and distribute classroom supplies. The nonprofit organization serves educators and counselors throughout Linn County and the surrounding areas.