Huntsville ‘First Lady’ Eula Battle, from left, Madison ‘First Lady’ Dana Trulock and Susie Averitt work at a classroom supply drive for Free2Teach. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – On Oct. 15, the Free2Teach ‘drive-through’ supply drive in Madison can help teachers stock their classrooms, hopefully avoiding up to an estimated $1,000 spent from their pocketbooks annually.

The Free 2 Teach organization collects supplies from companies, civic organizations and individuals and then allows teachers to shop for free at the Free2Teach store, 3054 Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville, drive coordinator Dana Trulock said.

Individuals can donate supplies at Asbury United Methodist Church’s Hope Building from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Motorists should enter from Gillespie Road and take the drive-through lane on the Hope Building’s south side.

“Free2Teach is doing a great service for all teachers in Madison City Schools, Madison County Schools and Huntsville City Schools,” Trulock said. “A huge number of our Madison teachers get school supplies now from Free2Teach.”

Needed supplies include #2 pencils, pens, crayons, washable markers, glue sticks, photocopy and loose-leaf paper and staples.

Several years ago, Trulock learned about the Free2Teach concept from co-founders Eula Battle and Nancy Jones. “They had this amazing idea … for businesses to rid themselves of excess (or unused) supplies and help teachers and kids,” Trulock said.

“I’m amazed every time I step into the Free2Teach store,” Trulock said about the volunteer effort. “No wonder many teachers are brought to tears by this organization’s kindness, generosity and hard work.”

Symbolizing this united collaboration, Eula Battle is married to Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, and Dana Trulock’s husband is Madison Mayor Troy Trulock. Dana Trulock has seen the supply need firsthand, volunteering as room mother, PTA officer and with football and soccer boosters.

“Being an active parent in Madison schools is a role I enjoyed immensely,” Trulock said. “Now that my children have graduated, Free2Teach is one way I can continue to be involved and give back.”

For the second year, Asbury Women’s ministry is organizing and hosting the supply drive, which they plan to conduct annually. For a complete supply list, visit free-2-teach.org.