About Us
History
In 1997,
a group of civic leaders in Cincinnati, Ohio identified a problem
in their local community that was quietly becoming an epidemic - local teachers were suddenly spending
more and more of their own money on essential school supplies, like paper, pencils, pens and glue for
their students. Upon investigation, these Leadership Council volunteers learned that school budgets
were being pared so much that there was no money left for basic school supplies. As a result - because
they cared - teachers were spending $500 - $1,200 per year out of their own pockets to make up the
difference.
The Leadership Council volunteers realized that local and regional businesses had a great deal of surplus office and business supplies that teachers would dearly love to use - the challenge was how to bring local businesses and schools together so that surplus business supplies became school supplies.
The idea for organizing and operating a "free" store exclusively for teachers was born. They called it Crayons to Computers.
To
say that Crayons to Computers became successful is a gross understatement. Since Crayons to Computers
opened its doors in 1997, they have collected and passed on to local schools over $23.9M in donated
supplies from local and regional businesses.
Because of their success, a number of other similar "stores" in other major metropolitan areas across the US have sprouted up - over 23 others to-date.
In 2000, Mary Phairas heard about Crayons to Computers and the wonderful success they were bringing to the Ohio valley area. With a daughter and granddaughter teaching in the Michigan school system, she knew all too well that Ohio's school budget problems were national in scope. She promised someday to open a similar store for Arizona teachers.
In June of 2004 that promise became a reality. Mary received her federal 501 (c) (3) non-profit certification and signed a lease for 5,000 square feet of retail store space in Mesa. She and a handful of devoted volunteers built a truly unique store for teachers - called Treasures 4 Teachers.
After years of collaboration Mary Phairas and Barbara Blalock, Executive Director of Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT) of Arizona, decided that by merging their individual missions into a unique and creative organization they would have a much greater impact on the educational and environmental issues facing Arizona. RAFT of AZ, with its focus on ecological stewardship, joined forces with Treasures 4 Teachers and its school supply resources to address the needs of students, teachers, and the community. With two Valley locations, and other sites being developed, Treasures 4 Teachers will now provide comprehensive services and resources throughout Arizona.
