FRANKLIN, Wis. — On Wednesday, Franklin educators were greeted with smiles and cheers, a free lunch and a back-to-school goody bag at Southbrook Church. 

Volunteers from Southbrook Church and Victory of the Lamb Church provided nearly 200 meals for educators from Country Dale and Robinwood Elementary Schools. They also gave teachers back-to-school goody bags. 

“We appreciate what they do for our students. We know that they get up each morning and take care of a lot of students from a lot of different backgrounds,” said Donna Misirian, an event volunteer from Southbrook Church. 

Misirian said her day of volunteering started at 6:30 a.m. She said she was happy to help and her heart was filled with gratitude for the teachers she served.

“We are so thankful for the teachers that we have at Robinwood School and Country Dale; we want to encourage them and let them know we are behind them for what they do,” said Misirian.

Those feelings are felt by church leadership, too.

“We really wanted to support [our teachers] because they are the ones who are holding up our community; they are teaching the kids,” said Bill Limmer. Limmer is a pastor at Victory of the Lamb.

Patricia Snead is a fifth-grade teacher. She said today’s event was a wonderful way to start the school year off on the right foot.

“They are making us feel so welcome. It is a great way to start the year. It makes it so much extra special,” said Snead.

She said the event made her and her fellow teachers feel honored and recognized.

“They make us feel like we are amazing. They treat us like kings and queens,” said Snead.

The sentiment was echoed by new teachers, too, who embraced the community’s warm welcome.

“It is my first year in Franklin Public Schools and right now this is amazing with what we are being offered,” said Clare Kinna, a first-grade teacher.