Beef 'O' Brady's hosts second supply drive for Tara Elementary teachers

Teachers have been known to purchase classroom supplies and decorations out of their own pockets to provide a nurturing environment for students. 

When Beef ‘O’ Brady's co-owners Tim and Lauren Macri were told by Laura Campbell, the principal of Tara Elementary School, that she had seen teachers spend as much as $2,000 for classroom supplies, they wanted to help.

“Teachers do so much, they're selfless people,” Lauren Macri said. “They have to be (selfless) to do what they do.” 

“Every teacher I have ever known has spent their own money on school supplies and items to make their classroom engaging,” said Kali Anges, the assistant principal at Tara. “I, too, have done the same when I was a teacher.”

The Macris held their first annual Christmas in July event last summer and are in the process of gathering donations from the community to present to the Tara teachers for a second year. 

The Tara Elementary teachers’ wish lists hang on ornaments throughout the restaurant, with each ornament containing information about the wish. The idea was inspired by angel trees fundraisers, where strangers sponsor a child’s Christmas wishes.

Photo by Madison Bierl

Last year they held a luncheon at the restaurant to present the gifts to the teachers and will do the same this year on Aug. 4.

Linda Haluska, the physical education and health teacher at Tara, said she was surprised and overwhelmed with appreciation during the luncheon last year. She requested items such as sanitizing wipes and a gift card and received everything on her list. 

“Smiles, jubilation, excitement, tears of joy and gratitude filled the restaurant,” Haluska said. “The outpouring of generosity and kindness we received from the community was beyond words to describe.” 

This year Haluska is once again requesting basic sanitizing and health supplies as well as motivating stickers, pencils, shoe charms and wristbands, which she uses as positive incentive rewards daily.

Photo by Madison Bierl

Lauren Macri said she feels elementary school students specifically are in need of more hands-on items and activities to stay engaged. They are not sitting behind a computer. 

Tim Macri acknowledged the level of experience a teacher has might come into play. 

“I think your younger teachers, the ones who are just coming in, have more supplies to accumulate to dress up their classrooms, whereas your seasoned teachers perhaps have more supplies on hand,” said Tim Macri. 

The event was a success last year because the community was able to provide something for each of the 44 teachers. There are 48 this year and Lauren Macri’s goal is to provide something for each of them. 

As of July 9, 16 wish lists have been signed out with five gifts being turned in. There are 48 wish lists in all. 

“I want to continue making that same impact for these teachers to where they can feel supported and loved," Lauren Macri said. "Obviously, it's trickling down to all the kids."

In order to get the community members more engaged and involved, they stepped up their decorations in the restaurant this time around. Both years had a Christmas tree set up, but it was important to them to decorate the whole restaurant this year. 

Michelle Hernandez has worked at Beef ‘O’ Brady's for nearly 12 years as a bartender and server and she owns her own business, Elevated Luxury Events. She decorates for weddings, baby showers and more and when she found out the event was happening again this year, she wanted to be in charge of the decorations. 

“She came in one morning, and let me tell you, it was jaw dropping what she did,” Lauren Macri said. “She came in and she got to work, and totally transformed the space.”

Anges said the staff at Tara Elementary often refer to the school as "Taradise” and that led to some tropical decorations at the restaurant. 

The wish lists are made out of flower-themed placemats and paper plates and some teachers even added QR codes to help the community visualize their wish lists. 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Hernandez made various trees made of balloons and there are balloons on the actual Christmas tree as well. There are oversized inflatable ornaments hanging from the ceiling.

Lauren Macri said she is grateful to Hernandez for making the space more eye-catching and colorful. Tim Macri said the decorations spark conversations because they are spread out throughout the restaurant, not just on the tree itself. 

When the community members bring back the supplies for one of the wish lists, they will get loyalty rewards of $10 to use in store right away. They will also be entered into a drawing for the chance to win 10 free wings every week for one year. 

“We tried to facilitate so it's like a win, win, win,” Lauren Macri said. “I just think it's a simple, fun, easy way to give back. There's something to be said too about that anonymous giving.” 

The wish list items vary in their uses as well as how much they cost. Some have items such as markers, books and cleaning supplies, while others might request something that might not be expected, such as a mini air fryer.

“If they’re feeling generous and they get the air fryer and they want to throw in another couple items, that's fantastic,” Tim Macri said. 

Lauren Macri said she hopes there is excitement and anticipation from the teachers as they now have more of an idea of what to expect after experiencing it last year. 

“I think that they'll feel as overjoyed as they did last year, that's my hope,” Lauren Macri said.