Public School Teachers Receive Unique Friends Aid

Barberton, Ohio Friends thank their teachers for the fourth year in a row.

Submitted by Brian Cowan,
Pastor of Barberton Friends, Barberton, Ohio

Barberton public school teachers are getting in the habit of appreciating the Barberton Friends hospitality. For the fourth year, the church served breakfast for the teachers and staff from the elementary and Middle schools that are closest to them. This year's attendance was the largest yet as they served a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon to 67 teachers and staff. All the food was donated by members of the church and many teachers have said how much they look forward to this time each year.

The tables were decorated with aloe vera plants. One person from each table took the plant home as a door prize. Handmade posters and pictures decorated the room . One poster said, "Thanks for coming to the aid of our children".

Barberton Friends doesn't have a specific program at the breakfast. They are simply expressing their appreciation for the teachers in a very tangible way. Those from the church make a special effort to just tell the teachers that they appreciate them and are committed to praying for them and their students. The church is also organizing individuals from the congregation to volunteer to pray for specific teachers and write a note of encouragement at least once this year.

Each teacher also received a white candy box filled with a wide assortment of items (see list of ingredients above) and a red label on top. The label had a first aid type cross and said "Teacher Emergency Kit."

Barberton Friends got this idea from the EFI Christian Education Commission's publication, "Aware." The list of ingredients was pasted on bright red paper inside the box.