The 2026 Chalkboard Champions Day of Giving is in its final stretch. As of noon today, cash donations had reached $11,515, and with Carl Reynolds Law matching every dollar, that figure effectively doubles. The drive, hosted by Sarasota County Schools and ABC7, runs until 8 p.m. tonight, August 7. Donations collected support local teachers and classrooms for the 2026-27 school year, which is right around the corner.
Drop-off sites are located across the Suncoast, including Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch. In addition to cash, organizers are collecting backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and disinfecting wipes. Last year, the drive raised more than $36,000 after matching, so there is a clear benchmark to beat. With matching still active, a $20 cash donation becomes $40 for a classroom in a matter of minutes.
For local families and snowbirds alike, this is one of the easiest ways to make a tangible impact before the school year begins. Teachers often spend their own money on supplies, so every pack of pencils or bottle of wipes helps lighten that load. Have you made a donation yet today? If so, where did you drop it off?
