SALISBURY, MD – The gifts are rolling in as local businesses continue to donate items to fill the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce “Welcome New Teacher Bags!” The large canvas bags will be given out to new public and private school teachers in Wicomico County as an initiative intended to demonstrate the business community’s support and appreciation for the new teachers.
Bill Chambers, President/CEO of the SACC, expressed, “The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and our generous members welcome and support all new teachers to Wicomico County. The Welcome New Teacher Bag program is a small token of the business community’s appreciation for these dedicated individuals as they prepare to educate our young citizens.”
Acknowledging the Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury’s ongoing sponsorship and the contributions from chamber members, Chambers stated, “We extend a special thanks to the Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury and other generous donors, whose support helps uphold this annual tradition.”
The Chamber encourages local businesses and non-profits to donate useful items for the teachers to extend appreciation and provide an opportunity for business promotion. Chambers emphasized, “Many of these teachers are new to our community, and this will be one of the first contacts that they will have with the great businesses here in Wicomico County. It is important to make them feel welcome and educate them about our area’s businesses and community.”
Businesses are encouraged to provide promotional items, gift cards, school supplies, community business “swag” items, coupons, or other practical items that would be useful to our new teachers. No flyers or brochures, please.
Optionally, monetary donations ranging from $100 to $150 are also welcomed, and these funds will be used to purchase additional useful items that will be included in the bags. All sponsors, including those making monetary contributions, will be recognized on a note included in the bags, on social media and print media.
Businesses are being creative in their donation efforts; Playa Bowls of Salisbury hosted a “Dine & Donate” event, donating 10% of proceeds amounting to $401 and coupons for the teachers!
If your business is interested in donating, we ask that you deliver a minimum of 185 pieces to the Chamber by Monday, August 5, 2024.
Additionally, a “bag stuffing” event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the chamber office. The bags will be distributed to public-school new teachers during the New Teacher Summer Academy at James M. Bennett High School on August 12, and to the private-school new teachers in Wicomico County in late August.
Paula Nichols, The SACC Ambassador Chair and owner of Motif Expressions, will be coordinating this year’s Welcome New Teacher Bags program. If your business would like to donate an item or volunteer to stuff the bags, please contact Paula at Nichols.motifexpressions@gmail.com or call 443-859-0696.
Thank you to these businesses that have donated items for this year’s bags: , 47ABC-WMDT, Advanced Computers, Alarm Engineering, Apple Discount Drugs, Comcast Business, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Downtown Salisbury Business Alliance, First Shore Federal Savings & Loan, Goosehead Insurance – Melissa Geeslin, Habitat for Humanity Wicomico County, Island Creamery Chincoteague, Kind SBY, Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery, Minuteman Press Salisbury, Playa Bowls Salisbury, Soul Yoga, Two Scoops Ice Cream & Waffles, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Wingate by Wyndham, and Wor-Wic Community College.
