When a dental office becomes a place where families can also give back to their community, it changes the meaning of a routine visit. South Cary Dental in Cary, NC is once again partnering with Tools4Schools to collect school supplies for Wake County students and teachers this summer. For community members exploring ways to support local education in Cary, NC, this initiative makes participation both simple and impactful.
What Is Tools4Schools and Why It Matters for Wake County
A Free Classroom Supply Store for Teachers
Tools4Schools is a program operated by WakeEd Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Wake County Public School System. The program runs a free classroom supply store where WCPSS teachers can shop for essentials including markers, colored pencils, copy paper, headphones, hand sanitizer, and notebooks throughout the school year.
These supplies make a measurable difference because many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets each year to equip their classrooms with basic materials. Tools4Schools removes that financial burden and allows educators to direct their energy toward instruction rather than budgeting for supplies their students need to participate in daily lessons.
How Community Drop-Off Locations Expand the Impact
Tools4Schools depends on businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout Wake County to collect and donate supplies during its annual summer drive. Drop-off locations across the county make it easier for community members to contribute without traveling to the central warehouse in Raleigh. That convenience is why participation rates continue to grow each year, reaching more classrooms and more students with every drive.
Local businesses that serve as collection points play an especially important role because they connect the program to neighborhoods that might not otherwise learn about the initiative. Each drop-off location acts as a bridge between willing donors and the teachers who need the most help.
South Cary Dental as a Tools4Schools Drop-Off Location
A Second Year of Giving Back
South Cary Dental is participating in the Tools4Schools supply drive for the second consecutive year. The practice serves as an official drop-off location at 530 New Waverly Place, Suite 302, Cary, NC 27518. Community members can bring new school supplies to the office throughout the entire summer without any cutoff deadline.
Dr. Ashkan Tajeddini has emphasized that anyone is welcome to drop off supplies, regardless of whether they are a current patient of the practice. That matters because it demonstrates the initiative is about community service first, with no strings attached and no expectations beyond supporting local teachers and students.
What Supplies Are Needed Most
The most requested items for Wake County classrooms include markers, colored pencils, copy paper, notebooks, headphones, hand sanitizer, sticky notes, staplers, and tape dispensers. New supplies are always preferred, though gently used items such as staplers and tape dispensers are also gratefully accepted.
Donors who prefer to give from home can also shop the Tools4Schools Amazon Wish List to have items shipped directly to the warehouse. Every contribution, whether a single pack of pencils or a full box of classroom materials, helps stock the shelves before the start of the upcoming school year.
Why a Dental Practice Gets Involved in Education
Oral Health and Academic Performance Are Connected
Research has consistently linked untreated dental problems in children to missed school days and difficulty concentrating in class. Children experiencing tooth pain are more likely to fall behind academically, and that cycle can persist when both dental care and classroom resources remain out of reach. A dental practice that supports education is addressing a broader pattern, because when students have reliable access to both oral healthcare and well-equipped learning environments, they are better positioned to succeed.
South Cary Dental already provides pediatric dentistry and accepts Medicaid, which means the practice actively works to reduce barriers to care for the same families Tools4Schools aims to support. That overlap is not a coincidence. It reflects a consistent, intentional commitment to the wellbeing of Cary families that extends well beyond what happens during a dental appointment.
The Value of Visible Community Involvement
When patients see their dental provider participating in local initiatives year after year, it builds a deeper level of trust that referrals and advertising alone cannot create. Community involvement signals that a practice values the people it serves beyond their role as patients. That is why programs like Tools4Schools resonate with families who want to choose healthcare providers that share their priorities and genuinely invest in the neighborhoods where they live and work.
Dr. Ashkan Tajeddini has spoken openly about the importance of giving back, noting that supporting local teachers and students through Tools4Schools is one of the most meaningful ways the practice contributes to the Cary community each year.
How Cary Families Can Participate This Summer
Drop Off Supplies at South Cary Dental
The simplest way to participate is to bring supplies directly to South Cary Dental during regular office hours. The practice is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. No appointment is necessary for supply drop-offs, and all visitors are welcome regardless of whether they are existing patients.
The office is located at 530 New Waverly Place, Suite 302, in Cary, making it a convenient stop for families, neighbors, and anyone passing through the area who wants to contribute. Supplies will be collected all summer long with no strict deadline.
Other Ways to Contribute
For those who cannot visit the office in person, donations can be made through the WakeEd Partnership website or the Tools4Schools Amazon Wish List. Cash donations are also accepted and are fully tax-deductible. Financial contributions are particularly valuable because they allow WakeEd to purchase exactly the supplies teachers request most frequently and in the quantities that make the greatest impact.
Sharing information about the drive with friends, family, coworkers, and social media connections also makes a meaningful difference. The more people who learn about the program, the more supplies ultimately reach Wake County classrooms before the first day of the new school year.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tools4Schools Supply Drive
Where can school supplies be dropped off in Cary?
South Cary Dental at 530 New Waverly Place, Suite 302, Cary, NC 27518 is an official drop-off location. Supplies can be brought to the office during regular business hours throughout the summer months.
Do donors need to be patients of South Cary Dental?
No. The supply drive is open to everyone in the community. Dr. Ashkan Tajeddini has encouraged anyone who wants to contribute to stop by the office, regardless of whether they are a current patient.
What types of school supplies are most needed?
The most commonly requested items include markers, colored pencils, copy paper, notebooks, headphones, hand sanitizer, sticky notes, staplers, and tape dispensers. New items are preferred, but gently used office supplies are also accepted.
How long does the supply drive last?
South Cary Dental collects school supplies throughout the entire summer with no strict cutoff date. That is why donors can contribute at any point that fits their schedule without concern about missing a deadline.
How South Cary Dental Can Help
South Cary Dental provides comprehensive family dental care in Cary, NC with a strong focus on community involvement, bilingual service in English and Spanish, and accessible treatment options for patients of all backgrounds. Dr. Ashkan Tajeddini and the team welcome patients of all ages and proudly accept Medicaid.
To learn more about the dental services available, visit the South Cary Dental services page. For additional oral health tips and community news, explore the practice blog. To schedule a dental appointment or ask questions about the Tools4Schools supply drive, visit the contact page or call 919-866-3200.