‘There’s always a need’: Local nonprofit organizes school supplies giveaway for teachers

The new school year is almost upon us. In less than a month, students will be returning to class.

Teachers like Cheryl Beese feel some pressure.

“That’s normal … just to prepare and make sure you create a welcoming environment for those students,” Beese said.

She is a drama teacher at Sequoyah Middle School in Broken Arrow.

“A lot of stuff is needed for a very large theater room at school,” said Beese.

She says teaching is her passion, so she makes her classroom a special place for her students, but that comes at a price. A price she bears.

“It can range from $100 to $800 a year, it just depends on what we need,” she said.

That’s why the non-profit organization Generation of Destiny is offering teachers a classroom start today.

“We are giving away supplies to all the school teachers,” said Principal Charles Jones.

This one-stop shop provides teachers with free access to supplies like paper, cleaning supplies and more.

According to Jones, the group wants to ease the financial burden on some teachers.

“If you look at it from their perspective and everything they spend to supply their classrooms,” he said.

Jones says it brings him joy to see the relief and gratitude on their faces.

“There will be a lot of laughs,” he said.

And this event brings joy to Beese. She now has a full class.

“Hand sanitizer, Kleenex, the most basic things you need to make a classroom successful, and the list goes on,” Beese said.

Jones says it’s important to keep an eye on local educators like Beese and ensure they’re well prepared to teach and inspire the next generation.

“There’s always a need in the community…always,” Jones said.

“This is a wonderful, wonderful thing…thank you for your support of the teachers,” Beese said.

While today’s giveaway is for teachers, Generation of Destiny says they plan to host a backpack drive for students in a few weeks.

For a link to donate to Generation of Destiny, click here. Donate – Generation of Destiny