Those heading out of town on Interstate 10 might not recognize the nondescript building visible through the trees.
The former Lackawanna Elementary School isn’t in the best of shape. It has somewhat faded into the landscape of the area.
Inside, though, there’s treasure.
Not doubloons or jewels, but card paper and three-hole punchers. Office chairs and staplers. Picture frames and old maps of U.S. National Parks.
Yes, treasure to public school teachers across Duval County — especially in the days before thousands of students descend upon their classrooms.
For the past 20 years, Chris Buckley has served as sort of the gatekeeper to the goods. In 1995, former Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Larry Zenke asked Buckley to lead the effort of collecting goods from area businesses for a supply drive at the beginning of the school year.
At the time, Buckley was president of the Duval County PTA, a volunteer position she said took 60-70 hours a week. She agreed and the next year, the first giveaway took place.
“Folks said we wouldn’t get more than 35 people,” said Buckley. “I told them I knew more than 35 myself who would show up.”
That first drive drew 750 teachers. Popularity has remained steady. On Friday, the halls weren’t just filled with donated supplies. There were 800 teachers sorting, sifting and staking wares that could be of use for the start of the year.
Notebook paper, pencils and composition books remain among the most popular items. So much so that one of the depot’s 12 rooms has been dubbed the “Limited Room,” a place where such sought-after items are rationed.
Outside of those, there’s plenty more for the treasure hunters. Furniture, magazines, books and various odds and ends that often are converted into arts and crafts projects.
Buckley considers the donated items a win for everyone — items stay out of landfills and teachers don’t have to spend their own money.
“If they’re bright and they’re colorful and they’re clean, usually teachers can find a use for them,” said Buckley.
She guesstimates teachers typically walk out with about $200 worth of items. One art teacher told Buckley that a full year of visiting the depot saved her $830 — and that was just paper alone.
The surge of teachers hit Friday, the annual back-to-school day. As rooms emptied, they were filled back up.
“Even for No. 800, there was some great stuff,” she said.
This week has been more subdued. Charter schools and other smaller groups visited Tuesday and will again Thursday. Each month, the depot is opened for a day for teachers to return.
Jessica Thompson, a sixth-grade math teacher at Duval Charter School, was one of the shoppers Tuesday.
The opportunity to come in and save on supplies was “awesome,” she said. Her takeaways included a printer, envelopes, paper and other craft supplies — like a bundle of old political signs that can be converted into clipboards.
A room over, Latanya Lee and Shonda Johnson, therapists for Children’s Home Society, had similar feelings about the depot.
“Everything is here,” said Johnson.
Companies like CSX, Bank of America and Wells Fargo send volunteers to help on giveaway days, which can start early.
For Buckley, early was Friday. She arrived at 4:45 a.m., thinking she was the first one there.
Nope. A few teachers already were in line, waiting for her headlights to come down the street.
“I thought I’d beat you this year,” she remembers telling them, jokingly.
Not this year. By 5:30 a.m., Buckley said the line was out to the sidewalk. Doors opened at 8 a.m.
Although days like those are long and hectic at times, Buckley said people realize their worth. She sees the appreciation on their faces.
“I have all the respect in the world for them … for someone who can go in and just work miracles,” said Buckley.
Schools in Duval County start Monday. The next time the depot opens will be Sept. 10 — the next treasure hunt for some, the next chance to restock for others.
And as she has always has been, Buckley will be there running the former school that helps the teachers of today.
@writerchapman
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