CLEWISTON — The Clewiston Museum’s 3rd Annual Teacher Appreciation & Welcome-Back Luncheon was held on Wednesday, August 2. The event was attended by Mayor James Pittman and City Manager Randy Davidson, Hendry County School District staff, volunteers from the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and Everglades Federal Credit Union, Clewiston Chamber of Commerce staff, community volunteers, museum board members, and the guests of honor – 147 teachers.

Following an amazing lunch provided by Clewiston’s restaurants and businesses, Mayor Pittman welcomed the teachers and encouraged them to have a successful and blessed year. The mayor’s welcome was followed by the door prize drawing, which included prizes donated by numerous Clewiston businesses, gift cards totaling $400 in value from Everglades Federal Credit Union, and thanks to the financial sponsors of the event, cash prizes totaling $1,200.

Financial support was provided by several area businesses at the following levels: Bronze Star ($100+) – an anonymous donor, Big Lake Oilers (Young Living Essential Oils), First Bank, Glades Gas & Air Conditioning, Pam’s Plumbing, Prestige Cleaning Services, and Rawls Real Estate; Silver Star ($250) - Badcock of Clewiston, Everglades Federal Credit Union, and U.S. Sugar.

The lunch included food and beverages donated by Beef O’Brady’s, Common Grounds Coffee Shop, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Main Street Subs, Nana’s Cupcake Shoppe and More, Nisbet Enterprises’ McDonald’s, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Sonny’s BBQ, Joe & Sassy Whitehead, and Woman With Ambition Cleaning Service. Supplies were donated by McDonald’s.

The door prizes included items donated by the museum and local businesses, including the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Berner Oil, Big Lake Oilers (Young Living Essential Oils), Everglades Federal Credit Union, Fancy Hair, Glades Gas & Air Conditioning, Hampton Inn, Sandy Lundy, Nana’s Cupcake Shoppe and More, Nisbet Enterprises’ McDonald’s, Royal’s Furniture, Seasons 3:1 LLC, and. Joe & Sassy Whitehead.

Before each teacher left, they were given bags full of goodies, also donated by local businesses, The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce, and the Sugar Festival Committee.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of Clewiston’s business community. Their support demonstrates how strongly they feel about showing appreciation for what Clewiston’s teachers do for our local students.

The Clewiston Museum is a private not-for-profit that relies on donations, grants, the support of its members, and fundraising events to remain in operation. It is located at 109 Central Avenue in Clewiston and the hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 pm. Saturday hours are by appointment only. Contact the museum at 863-983-2870 or via email at clewistonmuseum@embarqmail.com.