The Wellington Community Foundation hosted its inaugural “Back to School Teacher Appreciation Luncheon” on Thursday, Aug. 1, honoring the dedication and hard work of local educators.
The event, held in collaboration with Chick-Fil-A, welcomed teachers from New Horizons Elementary School and Elbridge Gale Elementary School, marking the beginning of a significant new tradition in community support for educators.
Distinguished guests included Wellington Vice Mayor John McGovern and Councilwoman Maria Antuña, along with Community Services Department members Jenifer Brito and Ian Williams. Their participation underscored the community’s commitment to supporting its educators.
Addressing the prevalent issue of many students arriving to school without essential supplies, the Wellington Community Foundation provided each teacher with a box full of new school supplies, meticulously selected for their specific grade levels. This initiative offered much-needed support as teachers prepare for the upcoming school year.
“All too often, teachers must spend their own money to ensure that students in need have the same access to much-needed school supplies, and this year we decided to help relieve that pressure,” WCF Chair Barry Manning said.
The luncheon fostered an atmosphere of gratitude and camaraderie, where teachers enjoyed a meal, networked with peers and shared experiences, as well as catching up after summer break. The presence of the community leaders highlighted the collective commitment to education and the importance of creating a supportive environment for both educators and students.
“We chose two of the seven Wellington elementary schools this year as our test to see what the response would be from teachers for this type of event, and we could not believe the overwhelming response from the more than 86 teachers from those schools. We know there is a need, and we love getting the school supplies directly into the hands of the teachers in the classroom. Next year, we hope to expand the event to include more schools — possibly all seven,” said Maggie Zeller, chair of the foundation’s Children’s Committee.
Along with lunch and a storage container filled with school supplies, each classroom was supplied with three bulk snack items for those days students in need show up empty handed. “It will also help offset teachers spending their own money,” WCF Vice Chair Jim Sackett said.
The foundation put together small “survival kits” for each teacher as well to show appreciation for all they do for students. It included essentials they will need to make it through the year.
The success of this inaugural event sets a promising precedent for future initiatives aimed at supporting educators. The Wellington Community Foundation looks forward to continuing this partnership and expanding its reach in the years to come. For those unable to attend, stay tuned for future opportunities to engage and support the community’s dedicated teachers.
For more information about the Wellington Community Foundation, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.
