New Wicomico teachers welcomed with gift bags

SALISBURY — As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, new teachers are set to join Wicomico County. Relocating to a new area can be overwhelming, and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce aims to ease the transition by providing “Welcome New Teacher Bags” to public and private school teachers in the county. This initiative is 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.

If your business is interested in donating, the chamber requests that you deliver a minimum of 185 pieces to the Chamber by Monday, Aug. 5. Additionally, a “bag stuffing” event is set for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 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 Aug. 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.