Community Giving Initiative

Building Brighter Futures Together

The Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative brings together local businesses, organizations, and community members to support school-aged children and educators throughout Northeastern North Carolina. Through donations of school supplies, backpacks, classroom resources, gift cards, and monetary contributions, we're helping students start the school year prepared, supporting the teachers who inspire them, and investing in the future of our communities.

At Venue 601 and Town Market, we've always believed that the strongest communities are built when businesses, families, educators, and neighbors come together for a common purpose. This summer, we're inviting you to be part of something that reaches far beyond a single event. We're inviting you to invest in the future of Northeastern North Carolina.

Our Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative Sponsorship Program was created with one simple goal: to help school-aged children begin the new school year with the tools they need to succeed while recognizing the teachers who dedicate themselves to helping shape the next generation.

Christmas In July Town Market at Venue 601

As business owners, we understand the importance of having the right tools for the job. A mechanic cannot repair a vehicle without tools. A healthcare professional cannot care for patients without the proper equipment. A contractor cannot build without the right materials. In the same way, students need school supplies, and teachers need classroom resources to create successful learning environments.

Those supplies aren't simply notebooks, pencils, folders, and backpacks—they are the tools children rely on every day to learn, grow, and build confidence. Classroom supplies are the tools teachers use to educate, inspire, and prepare future generations. When students and educators have the resources they need, everyone benefits.

Today's classrooms are preparing tomorrow's workforce.

The children we support today will become tomorrow's skilled tradespeople, healthcare professionals, first responders, military personnel, teachers, entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders. Investing in education today is an investment in the long-term strength of our local economy and the future of Northeastern North Carolina.

The Need Across Northeastern North Carolina

Our initiative is intended to benefit school-aged children and educators throughout Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Perquimans, Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Bertie, and Tyrrell Counties. Together, these communities are home to approximately 17,000 to 18,000 public school students, representing thousands of families and hundreds of classrooms across our region.

Strengthening Our Classrooms

At the same time, North Carolina teachers continue to spend hundreds—and often more than $1,600 each year—from their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their students. Those numbers remind us that the need is real, but they also demonstrate the incredible opportunity our business community has to make a meaningful difference.



Through this initiative, we're collecting backpacks, school supplies, classroom supplies, teacher supplies, gift cards, and monetary donations to help remove barriers for local students and educators.

Making Every Donation Count

Free School Supply Shopping Days

Following the Town Market, Venue 601 will host Free School Supply Shopping Days, where school-aged children and their families from across Northeastern North Carolina will be invited to select donated supplies at no cost while inventory lasts. Rather than receiving a pre-packed bag, families will have the opportunity to choose the supplies that best fit their children's individual needs.

Teacher Appreciation Initiative

We're also proud to recognize the educators who make a lasting impact every day through our Teacher Appreciation Initiative. Teachers may nominate themselves, and parents, students, coworkers, administrators, friends, and community members are encouraged to nominate as many deserving teachers as they'd like. Selected teachers will receive classroom gift cards to purchase the supplies that best meet the needs of their students and classrooms.

Guided By Local Insight

To help ensure every donation has the greatest possible impact, we're consulting with teachers, school representatives, and trusted community members who work directly with children throughout our region. Their insight helps us identify the supplies classrooms need most, better understand the challenges many families face, recognize deserving educators, and thoughtfully distribute donated items—including any remaining supplies—where they can continue making a difference.

Ways To Give

Whether your business chooses to donate backpacks, classroom supplies, gift cards, or a monetary contribution, every act of generosity helps build brighter futures.

Community support comes in many forms, and every donation makes a meaningful difference. Several local businesses have already stepped forward with generous monetary contributions of $500 and $1,000, while others are donating backpacks, classroom supplies, school supplies, and gift cards. We invite you to join this growing effort to support the students, teachers, and families who make our communities stronger.

As a Community Partner, your business will be recognized through event signage, social media, our website, and campaign marketing as a supporter of local education and community growth. More importantly, you'll be helping provide students and educators with the tools they need to begin the school year with confidence.



The ripple effect of your generosity extends far beyond the first day of school. One backpack can build confidence. One notebook can inspire opportunity. One teacher who feels supported can positively influence hundreds of students throughout their career. Every investment made today helps strengthen classrooms, empower families, and contribute to a stronger workforce for tomorrow.

From Venue 601

Together We Can Build Brighter Futures

Thank you for considering this opportunity to stand beside the children, teachers, and families of Northeastern North Carolina. Together, we can ensure that every child has the tools to learn, every teacher has the resources to inspire, and every community grows stronger because we chose to invest in its future.

We hope you'll join us in making this Christmas in July one that truly gives back.

Supporting Students. Celebrating Teachers. Strengthening Our Community.

The Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative is more than a school supply drive—it's a community-wide effort to ensure students begin the school year prepared, teachers feel supported, and donations create the greatest possible impact.

Through our Teacher Appreciation Initiative, Free School Supply Shopping Days, and guidance from our volunteer Community Resource Team, we're bringing together local businesses, educators, and community members to invest in the future of Northeastern North Carolina—one student, one classroom, and one act of generosity at a time.

Following the Christmas in July Town Market, Venue 601 will host Free School Supply Shopping Days for school-aged children and their families while donated supplies last.

Our goal is to provide students throughout Northeastern North Carolina with the tools they need to begin the school year prepared and confident.

Dates & Times

Monday, July 27
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Tuesday, July 28
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, July 29
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Location

Venue 601
405 Halstead Blvd.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Who Is Eligible?

• School-aged children (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
• Students residing in Northeastern North Carolina
• One shopping visit per student, while supplies last

What to Bring

To help us serve as many families as possible, please bring one form of documentation for each student:

• Current Student ID
• School registration or enrollment documentation
• Current report card
• Class schedule
• Other documentation showing current school enrollment

Students must be present to receive school supplies.

How It Works



Each eligible student will have the opportunity to shop for school supplies at no cost.

Rather than receiving a pre-packed bag, students will be able to choose from available donated supplies based on their individual needs.

Supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory lasts. To ensure we can assist as many families as possible, quantities of certain items may be limited.

Venue 601 reserves the right to adjust distribution guidelines based on available inventory and community demand.

As part of our Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative, Town Market at Venue 601 is proud to recognize the educators who go above and beyond to inspire, encourage, and invest in the students of Northeastern North Carolina.

Teachers often purchase classroom supplies with their own money to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn and succeed. Through this initiative, we hope to give back to those who give so much to our communities.

Nomination Day

Teacher nominations will be accepted during the Christmas in July Town Market on Sunday, July 19, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Nominations will be accepted in person only at the Town Market.

Eligibility

• Nominees must be current public school teachers serving within a Northeastern North Carolina public school district.
• Teachers may nominate themselves.
• Parents, students, coworkers, administrators, family members, friends, and community members are encouraged to submit nominations.
• There is no limit to the number of teachers you may nominate.

Classroom Grant Awards

A minimum of three outstanding teachers will be selected to receive classroom grants in the form of gift cards to purchase supplies and resources for their students.

Gift card amounts will be determined by the total monetary donations and community support received through the Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative. If donations exceed expectations, additional teachers may be recognized.

Our goal is to place these resources directly into the hands of educators so they can purchase the classroom materials that best meet the needs of their students.

Help Us Celebrate Our Educators

Every nomination is an opportunity to recognize a teacher who has made a lasting difference in the lives of students and families.

Whether it's a teacher who inspired your child, encouraged a student to reach their full potential, or consistently goes above and beyond for their classroom, we invite you to help us recognize the incredible public school educators who help shape the future of Northeastern North Carolina.



Together, we're not only supporting students—we're celebrating the teachers who make a difference every single day.

The success of the Christmas in July Community Giving Initiative is strengthened by the knowledge, experience, and generosity of local educators, school representatives, and community members who have volunteered their time to help guide this effort.

Drawing from their firsthand experience working with students and families throughout Northeastern North Carolina, these volunteers provide valuable insight into the supplies classrooms need most, the challenges many families face, and the most effective ways to distribute donations within our communities.

Their expertise helps us make informed decisions, identify priority needs, and ensure that donated backpacks, school supplies, classroom resources, gift cards, and monetary contributions are used responsibly and where they can have the greatest impact.

We believe the best community initiatives are built through collaboration. If you have professional experience in education, student services, school administration, youth programs, social services, or another field that supports children and families—and would like to volunteer your knowledge as part of our Community Resource Team—we would love to hear from you.

Together, we're creating a stronger support system for the students, teachers, and families of Northeastern North Carolina by combining community generosity with local knowledge and experience.

To learn more about joining our Community Resource Team, please contact Venue 601.

Don't Forget to Make a Day of It at the Town Market!

The Christmas in July Town Market is more than a shopping event—it's a celebration of community, a day of giving back, and an opportunity to support both local businesses and local families. Hosted by Town Market at Venue 601, our market was created to provide a welcoming space where local businesses, entrepreneurs, artisans, nonprofits, and community members can connect, grow, and support one another.

This special Christmas in July edition brings our community together to help school-aged children and educators throughout Northeastern North Carolina prepare for a successful school year through our Community Giving Initiative, while also encouraging everyone to shop local, discover small businesses, and enjoy a fun-filled day with family and friends.

Whether you're dropping off a donation, shopping with local vendors, enjoying delicious food and beverages, nominating an outstanding teacher, meeting Mr. & Mrs. Claus, or simply spending time with your community, every visit helps make a difference. Together, we're strengthening local businesses, supporting local students and teachers, and investing in the future of Northeastern North Carolina.

Be sure to follow our Town Market at Venue 601 Facebook Group and Venue 601 on social media for upcoming markets, special events, vendor announcements, and future community initiatives. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Donate to the School Supply Drive



Drop off backpacks, school supplies, classroom materials, gift cards, or monetary donations to help support students and educators throughout Northeastern North Carolina.

Shop Local Vendors

Browse a wide variety of local businesses, artisans, makers, and boutiques while supporting small businesses in our community.

Enjoy Food & Beverages

Grab lunch, a sweet treat, or your favorite drink from our local food vendors and beverage stations.

Nominate an Outstanding Teacher

Submit a nomination for your favorite public school teacher—or nominate yourself if you're a teacher—for a chance to receive a classroom grant in the form of a gift card.

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Celebrate Christmas in July with festive photo opportunities and a little holiday cheer in the middle of summer.

Enjoy Family-Friendly Activities

Take part in fun activities and experiences for all ages throughout the event.

Connect with Your Community

Meet neighbors, support local organizations, discover community resources, and celebrate everything that makes Northeastern North Carolina special.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Every donation, every purchase from a local vendor, and every act of generosity helps make a lasting impact on the students, teachers, and families we serve.