On a hot day in August, teachers and staff from Tara Elementary School met at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s (Braden River), amazed by the piles of wrapped presents under the Christmas tree.
As owners Tim and Lauren Macri welcomed the educators to their back-to-school staff luncheon, you could feel excitement in the air.
“What we’re going to do is play Santa – it’s going to get a little crazy – but that’s just like Christmas morning anyway, right?” said Lauren.
The couple, with help from their teenage son, called out names written on paper ornaments, which were attached to gifts purchased by their customers.
Teachers ripped open boxes and bags to find headphones, markers, printer paper, stickers, cleaning wipes, LEGO sets, classroom treasure boxes, snacks and more.
The idea for Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Christmas in July was the brainchild of the Macris and Assistant Principal Kali Anges, who are all Manatee County graduates.
(L-to-R: Kali Anges, Lauren Macri, Principal Laura Campbell, Tim Macri)
After learning that teachers reached deep into their own pockets to decorate and stock their classrooms with supplies, the Macris knew they had to help.
“We were overwhelmed by the response,” Lauren told the Tara teachers. “They just showed up, and I think that really speaks to our community.”
She detailed that when participants came back to dine and saw other people’s gifts wrapped under the tree, they took their own donations back home to wrap and follow suit.
The teachers were humbled by the kindness, including Katie Van Beveren, who told us she fought back tears.
VE Teacher Olivia Dillahay was ecstatic and overwhelmed. A note attached to a letter tracing sensory pad read, “We hope you have an amazing school year! We added some fun items for you.” It ended with picture coding, which uses images to relay a message.
The Christmas in July luncheon ended in the most fitting way possible. Music teacher, Barbara Siffermann, led her colleagues in a special song, “We Wish You A Merry School Year.”
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is just one of the local businesses helping strengthen Manatee County schools with their support and kindness. Special thanks to all who donated items for this deserving group of educators.
