Loretta Nawrocki, a teacher assistant in Salisbury, North Carolina, had one reaction when volunteers showed up with breakfast pastries and coffee before the first day of school: "This is the most amazing thing in the world. I'd come to school every day if they would let us eat like this." She was one of hundreds of teachers and staff members who received a surprise boost from their community just as the new school year was about to begin.
First Baptist Church Salisbury organized a week of service called "Serve Our Schools" from August 3-7, coordinated by Rev. Luke Lunceford and Joy Childers, the church's children's ministry director. The idea came partly from the N.C. Baptist Convention's statewide "Serve NC" week, but the church wanted to focus its efforts locally. "We wanted to think of some way the church could be a blessing to the schools," Lunceford said.
About 120 church volunteers fanned out to nine schools in the Rowan-Salisbury area. Some classes adopted schools based on personal connections — maybe they had children attending, or a retired teacher in the congregation. From there, volunteers planned their own projects. North Hills Christian School's nutrition staff got a special breakfast. Isenberg Elementary teachers were treated to coffee and pastries on the morning of August 6. The Hanford Dole staff received lunch, while the West Rowan High School football team got a pre-season meal. Gray Stone Day School received chocolate chip cookies, and Faith Academy students enjoyed dessert with encouraging notes. The church also donated to the West Rowan Bible Teachers Association, delivered school supplies to Henderson Independent School, West Rowan High School, Kannapolis Middle School, and Bostian Elementary, and handed out encouragement cards to Salisbury High School staff.
The response from recipients was immediate and heartfelt. Principal Melissa Smith of Gray Stone Day School wrote: "What an awesome blessing today. We were all pleased to get our special treats and they were delicious. I love the way your church allows your members to celebrate others. Thanks for starting our year off so beautifully."
ESL teacher Nelsie Lawing, who received her breakfast at Isenberg Elementary, put it simply: "How could I not feel but amazed? They come and bless us with a wonderful breakfast and I'm a coffee person so that's just wonderful. You don't get blessings like that all the time. It's just nice to know you are loved by your community."
Church member Molly Bronson helped deliver the encouragement cards, which had been made by children at the church. "We hand them out so the teachers and staff would know we're thinking of them and praying for them this year, that they're seen and they're loved," she said.
Sean Day, principal at Isenberg Elementary, said the gesture meant more than just the food. "We love and appreciate our partners, and just knowing that the community sees the work that we're doing every day," he said. "I know the teachers feel valued and seen because we love our kids, every single one that comes in."