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On Aug. 1, Liberty Communities and New American Funding will host a school supply drive for teachers at 200 Freshwater Court from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Michelle Vankinscott, on-site realtor for Liberty Communities, said the inspiration for the drive was to show people where and who the company was and to give back to the community.

“We wanted to do something to let people know that we are here as well as do something for the heroes that are in the community — our teachers,” Vankinscott said.

“We decided to do a back-to-school drive for the teachers and called some local teachers in town asking them what all does a teacher need for the back-to-school season? After getting some replies, we went in and bought about $2,000 in school supplies.” Vankinscott said the event will include food, music, giveaways and tours of new builds. 

“The grand prize is going to be a 55-inch flat screen TV. We’re also going to give away Yeti cups, teacher bags and gift cards through a spinning wheel they can use as they shop for free. We give them a bag, and they can fill it the supplies that they need,” Vankinscott said.  “We decided not to do a book bag drive because if you look around, everyone is doing a book bag drive for students but no one is doing anything for the teachers. Not only can we help the teachers, but it also helps us get exposure so that people will know that we’re here.”

Vankinscott said the company found it important to do something for teachers because they are overlooked and overworked.

“When you’re a teacher, you literally have to be parent, counselor — everything all in one. We send our kids to school with teachers almost eight a day and they become everything. We always forget how important they are and so we said let’s do something for the teachers,” Vankinscott said.

In putting on the event, Vankinscott said the main goal is to give back as teachers get ready for the school year.

“Of course, we want to get exposure —I mean, we sell homes — but we’re not trying to get them here to sell a home to them. We’re just getting them here to let them know that we do appreciate them,” Vankinscott said.

“Sometimes there’s a hidden agenda but there’s no hidden agenda here. The owner of the company believes in taking Sundays off to spend with your family, church or whatever you believe in doing, but that’s the day for us. The culture is spreading love, giving back and don’t expect anything in return. That’s all we’re aiming to do with the drive.”