Bedford Lions Club gives treats to school workers

A Bedford community group showed its appreciation for local school employees’ hard work and dedication by showing up with coffee and donuts throughout April.

The Bedford Township Lions Club chose seven dates last month to deliver coffee and donuts to Bedford Public Schools workers, including teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and custodians. The drinks and snacks were donated by Erie Restaurant, which is owned by Lions Club members Todd and Trudy Hershberger.

The effort was a way for the club to honor all the school workers who had to adapt and overcome obstacles during the worldwide COVID pandemic, which affected the hours and employment status of many BPS employees.

Bedford Lions Vice President Kim Hooper said that the club has raised over $200,000 over the past 10 years for student scholarships and support for individual departments. He said that now is a good time to honor those who had to make sacrifices, daily life adjustments, and difficult decisions during the past two years of COVID-related restrictions.

“We just wanted to thank everyone with coffee and donuts,” he said.

Hooper added that it was important to ensure all the 600-plus employees were honored. On April 26, Hooper was onsite at the BPS maintenance facility, 8486 Douglas Rd. in Temperance, where bus drivers were coming in and out and enjoying the tasty treats.

“There was a shortage of school bus drivers when people came back from COVID (lockdowns),” he explained. “We wanted to make sure that it was not only for teachers, but for everyone.”

Sandy Kraine, Bedford Public Schools Communications Specialist, helped coordinate the effort at the various sites. She said that the donuts from Erie Restaurant were baked, not fried, and were a delicious way for BPS workers to start the day.

“I can vouch for how good the donuts are,” she said.

Hooper said that the response from school workers was very positive. While he acknowledged that school employees probably like hearing gratitude from school administration, he said it might mean more coming from an outside group, adding that it is like hearing a “thank you” from the larger Bedford community.

“We appreciate and notice what you’ve done.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford Lions Club gives treats to school workers