KREM 2's Tools 2 Schools: Impacting kids in our community

SPOKANE, Wash. — Scroll down for detailed info on how to donate to Tools 2 Schools this year 

"What’s your typical day as a school counselor?” I asked. 

I was thinking it was an easy question to begin with when talking to Fondra Magee. The Title 1 school counselor has been helping kids for more than 30 years. 

But when asked the question about her typical day she paused. Then she started talking.

A few moments later my notes were lengthy. Anymore, school counseling means helping children walk through very adult issues while maintaining academic success at school.

On any given day, Magee might counsel a child who is dealing with both parents being incarcerated, work with a student who is homeless, or help in a classroom where kids are struggling with writing. She and other counselors teach emotional and social skills while supporting mentorship programs. 

She says 92% of the kids at Stevens Elementary are on free and reduced lunch program. Magee says with such a high poverty rate, programs like “Tools 2 Schools” are invaluable.

“We have kids that have never had a new box of crayons,” says Magee. “To see the kids light up when they get a backpack filled with supplies. You can’t put a price tag on that,” she adds.

Each year, KREM 2, Communities in Schools, Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort, and Walmart team up to host the “Tools 2 Schools” campaign. The goal is to provide backpacks filled with supplies to the most financially challenged schools. 

Stevens Elementary is just one of nearly 80 schools in Eastern Washington and North Idaho that receive support through the campaign. 

This year, the Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort is also purchasing socks for students as it’s an often-requested item. The “tools” needed for school has continually changed and the list of supplies often grows.

“We have kids with holes in shoes and no winter coat,” says Magee. She says it means so much that people in the community step up to help so many of the kids. And she says the community’s kindness has a far-reaching impact.

“This not only helps our children and families, but it helps our teachers,“ says Magee. She points out that teachers often buy much-needed supplies using their own money.

Magee says while the job has morphed over many decades, she wouldn’t want to do anything else. “Stevens is pure joy,” says Magee.

How to Donate:

Donate to ‘Tools 2 Schools’ right now at any area Walmart. You can pick up individual supplies or purchase a pre-filled backpack to donate. Here's a list of Walmart locations in the area: 

9212 N Colton St, Spokane, WA 99218

2301 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205

1221 S Hayford Rd, Spokane, WA 99224

5025 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99212

15727 E Broadway Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99037

6405 W Pointe Pkwy, Post Falls, ID 83854

3050 E Mullan Ave, Post Falls, ID 83854

550 W Honeysuckle Ave, Hayden, ID 83835

You can also donate supplies at area Office Depot location (tap for nearby locations)

You can also donate supplies at the following Horizon Credit Union locations:

Francis Branch

1212 West Francis Avenue Spokane 99205

Liberty Lake Branch

22206 E Country Vista Drive Liberty Lake 99019

Mirabeau Branch

13224 E Mansfield Ave Spokane Valley 99216

Mullan Branch

201 North Mullan Road Spokane Valley 99206

Northpointe Branch

9861 North Nevada Street Spokane 99218

Washington Branch

613 South Washington Street Spokane 99204

Conklin Branch

16402 East Sprague Avenue Spokane Valley 99037

Coeur D’Alene Branch

123 West Hanley Avenue CDA, 83815

Post Falls Branch

920 N Highway 41 Suite 10 Post Falls 83854

Distribution:

All supplies and backpacks are donated to Communities in Schools, who distribute them to area schools. If you have questions about being a ‘Tools 2 Schools’ recipient, contact “Communities in Schools” or your child’s individual school.

Recipient Schools:

Spokane Public Schools

1. Adams Elementary School
2. Audubon Elementary School
3. Chase Middle School
4. Cooper Elementary School
5. Eagle Peak
6. Ferris High School
7. Finch Elementary School
8. Garfield Elementary School
9. Garry Middle School*
10. Glover Elementary School
11. Grant Elementary School
12. Hamblen Elementary School
13. Holmes Elementary School
14. John R. Rogers High School*
15. Libby Center
16. Lidgerwood Elementary School
17. Lincoln Heights Elementary School
18. Linwood Elementary
19. Logan Elementary School
20. Mullan Road Elementary School
21. North Central High School*
22. On Track
23. Pride Prep
24. Regal Elementary School
25. Roosevelt Elementary School
26. Sacajawea Middle School
27. Shaw Middle School*
28. Sheridan Elementary School*
29. Spokane Montessori
30. Stevens Elementary School
31. Westview Elementary
32. Whitman Elementary School

Post Falls School District

1. Frederick Post Kindergarten
2. Greensferry Elementary School
3. Mullan Trail Elementary School
4. Ponderosa Elementary School
5. Prairie View Elementary School
6. Seltice Elementary School
7. West Ridge Elementary School

Medical Lake School District

1. Endeavors Alternative High School*
2. Hallett Elementary School
3. Michael Anderson Elementary School (Fairchild A.F.B.)*
4. Medical Lake Middle School*
5. Medical Lake High School*

West Valley School District

1. Dishman Hills High School

East Valley School District

1. East Valley Middle School
2. East Valley High School
3. East Farms Elementary School
4. Otis Orchards Elementary School
5. Trent Elementary School
6. Trentwood Elementary School

Central Valley School District

1. Adams Elementary School
2. Broadway Elementary School*
3. Chester Elementary School
4. Evergreen Middle School
5. Greenacres Elementary School
6. McDonald Elementary School*
7. Opportunity Elementary School*
8. Progress Elementary School
9. North Pines Middle School*
10. University Elementary School

Cheney Public School

1. Betz Elementary School
2. Cheney High School
3. Cheney Middle School*
4. Salnave Elementary School
5. Snowden Elementary School
6. Sunset Elementary School
7. Westwood Middle School*

Coeur d’Alene School District

1. Atlas Elementary School
2. Borah Elementary School
3. Bryan Elementary School
4. Dalton Elementary School
5. Fernan STEM Academy
6. Hayden Meadows Elementary School
7. Northwest Expedition Academy
8. Ramsey Magnet School of Science
9. Skyway Elementary
10. Sorensen Magnet of Arts & Humanities
11. Winton Elementary School

*Denotes schools with Site Coordinators