Tara Elementary partners with Beef 'O' Brady's for Christmas in July

Christmas is coming early for Tara Elementary School teachers. 

Lauren and Tim Macri, the owners of Beef 'O’ Brady’s Braden River, sat at a booth in their restaurant admiring a Christmas tree they put up and decorated with ornaments showing Tara Elementary School’s logo and a few ornaments with wish lists from the school’s teachers. 

The couple can’t wait to see the rest of the gifts come in during Beef 'O’ Brady’s and Tara Elementary’s Christmas in July partnership. 

Throughout July, restaurant patrons have selected one of the 44 ornaments off the tree and have been purchasing the items on the list for the teachers. 

On Aug. 5, it’ll be like Christmas morning for the teachers as they receive the items on their wish lists during a back-to-school luncheon. 

“I am so excited to be able to see the generosity of the community and our patrons and our staff,” Lauren Macri said. “I imagine as teachers, their role is one of constant giving into other lives. Just to feed into them a little bit, I’m excited to be able to do that.”

Photo by Liz Ramos

When speaking with Kali Anges, the assistant principal at Tara Elementary, Lauren Macri said she was shocked to learn that teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket to purchase extras for their classrooms. She knew she immediately wanted to do something to support the teachers. 

Anges said teachers spend their own money on classroom decorations, little prizes for when students meet academic or behavioral goals, school supplies and other “special touches.”

“In order for a student to learn, they have to feel safe and they have to feel ownership of their own classroom,” Anges said. “Teachers don’t have to spend their own money, but they’re passionate, and that’s why they’re in education in the first place. They want to create that classroom where students come in and their eyes light up and they feel excited to be in that environment.”

The Macris worked with Anges to create the Christmas in July event. Lauren Macri and Anges said they appreciate that the partnership is a collaborative effort between a local school, local business and the community. 

Lauren Macri said it’s a win-win for everyone involved as the business benefits from the patrons, the teachers receive their wish list items, and community members receive a perk from Beef 'O’ Brady’s. 

Restaurant patrons who participate in Christmas in July will receive 200 points to the restaurant’s loyalty app, which equates to $10. They also will be entered into a drawing in which the winner will receive 10 free wings per week for a year. 

Anges said the back-to-school luncheon will be a morale booster for staff and a “great way to start the year on a positive high note.”

Tim Macri said some patrons have come into the restaurant asking for specific teachers because their children had that teacher when they were in school. 

Beef 'O’ Brady’s employee Bobby Pike, a rising high school senior, requested Lynn Wolfe. She was his teacher when he attended Tara Elementary. 

“It’s a heartfelt thing,” Lauren Macri said. “It adds a level of meaning to what we get to do every day. We try to make people’s day through food, but to be able to have that layer of extra connection and be able to be a part of it, I feel grateful.”

Tim Macris said he and his wife are considering expanding the Christmas in July event to their locations in Parrish and Lakewood Ranch next year to support more schools.