Annual brunch celebrates 350 Lowcountry educators, school staff

Lowcountry Community Church welcomed 350 teachers, administrators and other school staff members from 59 schools for its third annual School Staff Appreciation Brunch on Aug. 1.

The event included breakfast, a message for attendees and boxes of school supplies donated by church members and through a partnership with Coastal Shores Landscape.

The brunch is held ahead of the new school year as a way for the church to support local school employees. The event has grown since it began in 2023, when 64 people attended.

“Our teachers and school staff carry so much responsibility, and many of them enter the school year already feeling tired or overwhelmed,” LCC Outreach Director Liz Lucarini said. “We wanted this morning to remind them that they are loved and supported by people who believe in the work they are doing.”

Lucarini said the church wanted participants to leave feeling encouraged as they prepared to return to their classrooms and schools for another year.

The supply boxes were one part of that effort. Filled with items donated by LCC members and through the church’s partnership with Coastal Shores Landscape, the boxes were distributed to participating school employees.

Some also contained personal letters that drew appreciation from attendees.

“Thank you for the love that was shown today,” Lois Casto said. “I loved the supply box that was given to us. I was touched by the letter that was in my supply box.”

T. Lynn Holman also thanked organizers.

“All of the hard work that went into preparing everything, especially the thoughtful supply boxes, did not go unnoticed,” Holman said. “We are truly grateful and feel so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful event.”