asking for tool donations

[BSV]

Does anyone have any tips for asking hardware stores (or any other stores, for that matter) for donations of tools and/or materials?

Is is better to have an adult call them, a kid call them, some of the kids walk in the store and ask to speak to the manager, or something else?

We have some specific needs (band saw, bench grinder, various hand tools). We are not allowed to fundraise (school policy), but we are allowed to accept donations and sponsorships with school approval. The team has had just enough funding in the past years to pay for the basics, but we want to amp it up a few notches over the next couple of year so that we can attend more events, help out more teams, and build a better robot.

Thanks for any suggestions!