Caroline Murrell (in red), our amazing SECU Public Fellows intern, spent her summer supporting Chatham students and teachers through CEF projects like Books on Break, CEF Teaching Grants, and book donation boxes. As a Chatham County native, this work was especially meaningful to her—and to us! Following is her reflection

Even if you’ve never bought a lottery ticket in North Carolina, you’ve certainly seen the ads on television and at every single gas station for the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL). It’s impossible to miss!  But what may be easier to overlook is just how little the lottery actually contributes

The new school year will be here before you know it! In anticipation, the Chatham Education Foundation is collecting school supplies for Chatham County Schools students and teachers. Here’s how you can help make sure every student has the supplies they need for a great school year:  📦 Purchase supplies from

Chatham County offers a variety of free learning opportunities to keep our students reading, exploring, and thriving all summer long. Try to reach 20 minutes of reading at day with Chatham County School’s Summer Reading Challenge: https://bit.ly/CCSReach20. Students who complete and return their reading log at the start of school

Virginia Cross Elementary School will have a library on wheels making stops around Siler City neighborhoods this summer! Come checkout books and get free snacks donated by CORA!

When my daughter was younger, starting in first grade, she was a part of a summer book club here in the neighborhood. There were six girls in the club and each chose a book for the whole group to read. After reading a book, the girls would meet and the

As most parents know, coming up with nutritious meals that your kids actually eat can be a difficult task. Imagine, then, planning breakfast and lunch for the roughly 9,000 students who get their meals from Chatham County Schools’ (CCS) cafeterias each school day. This herculean effort falls under the guidance

Thanks to a $4,375 grant from the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund, Chatham Reads was able to bring Books on Break to The Nature Trail community for a second year. A program of the Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) and Chatham County Schools (CCS), Chatham Reads hosts free book fairs

This summer, Chatham Reads, a program of the Chatham Education Foundation and Chatham County Schools, is partnering with CORA to provide free books at five of their 13 SNACK! distribution sites. When families come to pick up their groceries, each child can choose a book to take home and keep. 

Last weekend Chatham County Schools celebrated its Class of 2025 graduates at commencement ceremonies across the county. Afterwards, CCS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson was compelled to write this inspiring letter. We wanted to share it with you because your support makes the success of these students possible. June 10, 2025