Virginia Baptists attending the 2026 Annual Meeting can support students in Northampton County by bringing art supplies to the convention center in Virginia Beach.

The project grew out of a long partnership between Cape Charles Baptist Church and Northampton County Public Schools. What began as a church looking for ways to serve local families has become a network of ministries and community partners supporting children throughout the year.

“When I arrived here in 2000, this church was nearly 150 years old and had always been a missional church to its community,” said Russell Goodrich, pastor of Cape Charles Baptist Church. “We began moving into the community, looking for opportunities.” One of those opportunities was serving children and families connected to Kiptopeke Elementary School. That effort eventually grew into Splash Camp, an eight-week summer ministry that now serves children at two locations.

Goodrich sees the art-supply project as another way for churches across Virginia to come alongside people already serving local students. “When we ask for art supplies, you may think, That’s a small thing,” he said. “But think of it the other way around. These supplies are just as significant, just as important, and just as needed in the life of a child. It could be your construction paper that helps a student build something they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to build.”

The supplies will support elementary art teachers and classroom projects across the school division. Dr. Lisa Martin, superintendent of Northampton County Public Schools, said art materials help students learn across subject areas—not only in art class.

“One of our teachers has what she calls a ‘paper laboratory,’ where third graders become contractors and engineers,” Martin said. “They build structures out of paper and cardstock and test how much weight those buildings can support. They’re learning physics and science while developing creative thinking. We couldn’t do that without the resources.”

Martin said supplies also help students turn what they have learned into something they can see, make, and share. “Art supplies aren’t just drawing on a piece of paper. They are so cross-curricular,” she said. “They’re valuable for our schools, our students, and our staff.”

Elizabeth Hall, communications coordinator for Northampton County Public Schools, said the supplies can help spark new interests and give students ways to show what they know. “It’s not just art supplies, not just a pencil or a marker, that unlock more potential for our kids,” Hall said. You never know what one interaction in a classroom might spark, or how it might help a student throughout the rest of their life.”

Join the Project

Virginia Baptists can purchase items from the list below and bring them to the convention center. The supplies will be part of the Tuesday evening offering, and Northampton County school officials will be present to receive them during Wednesday’s main session.

The drop-off location is still being finalized. Organizers expect it to be near where participants pick up registration bags in the Ministry Fair area.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• ‍‍sketchbooks
• white drawing paper
• glue sticks
• crayons
• colored pencils
• fine-tip markers
• sponges
• reusable paint palettes
• watercolor paints
• foam paintbrushes
• sanitizing or disinfectant wipes
• baby wipes

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