MADISON COUNTY – No notebooks? No markers? Need crayons? The Free 2 Teach organization can stop these shortages, thus eliminating the need for teachers to ante up money from their own wallets to equip their classrooms.

Free 2 Teach, a 501(c)3 organization, provides free resources to teachers across Madison County — to Madison City Schools, Madison County Schools and Huntsville City Schools.

These resources are available to more than 3,800 full-time classroom teachers and their 53,000 students. The goal is to improve the educational experience of children and strengthening the community’s future workforce. All donations to Free 2 Teach are tax-deductible.

“As a former teacher, I know how important it is for a teacher to feel valued and encouraged by their community,” Free 2 Teach Executive Director Eula Battle. “We hope to add a little joy and happiness to each teacher’s day when they shop at Free 2 Teach.”

As in past years, Asbury United Methodist Church in Madison recently served as a drop-off/collection point for donations to Free 2 Teach.

Free 2 Teach constantly has a major need for these supplies:

* Broad markers, preferably in 10-count Crayola brand packets.

* Crayons, preferably in 24-count Crayola brand packets.

* Paper for copying, graphs and wide-ruled type, along with composition books.

* Note cards and plastic pencil cases.

* Calculators.

* Sharpie and dry-erase markers.

Educators spend between $500 and $1,500 of their own money to buy school supplies, according to the Free 2 Teach website.

Free 2 Teach’s street address is 3054 Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville. The postal address is P.O. Box 1405, Huntsville AL 35807. Teachers’ shopping hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Shopping is by appointment only.

Individuals can take their donations to Free 2 Teach on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, residents can make other arrangements for drop-offs by calling Jennifer at 256-886-7065.

For more information, call 256-886-7065, email info@free-2-teach.org or visit free-2-teach.org.