Special Chapel Hill store lets teachers stock up for free

The East Chapel Hill Rotary Club opened a store for area teachers, who each received $75 in vouchers to purchase classroom supplies they usually pay for out of pocket. Organization officials said the store was especially important this year with cutbacks in state education funding.

Teachers say they appreciate the help.

"It just shows people do support education, the public supports education," teacher Wendy Lybrand said. "We are very fortunate to live in this community that is very supportive of us."

The Rotary club works with the Chapel Hill Public Schools Foundation and dozens of local contributors and volunteers to transform the American Legion building in Chapel Hill into a full-fledged store. About 600 teachers are expected to shop there by the time the event ends Thursday.