{"id":197050,"date":"2025-09-03T14:42:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:42:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/197050\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:42:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:42:11","slug":"the-bojangles-foundation-fuels-back-to-school-season-with-12840-book-donations-celebrates-2025-teachers-of-the-year-across-the-southeast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/197050\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bojangles Foundation Fuels Back-to-School Season with 12,840 Book Donations, Celebrates 2025 Teachers of the Year Across the Southeast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">The Bojangles Foundation Fuels Back-to-School Season with 12,840 Book Donations, Celebrates 2025 Teachers of the Year Across the Southeast<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\nReaching 642 school districts in five states, Foundation honors exceptional educators and advances literacy initiatives<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\nAs students sharpen pencils and step back into classrooms this fall, the <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bojangles.com%2Ffoundation%2F&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Bojangles+Foundation&amp;index=1&amp;md5=fe7492f437898aca9fd67d1cc3de3efa\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bojangles Foundation<\/a> is wrapping up a milestone year of honoring exceptional educators across the Southeast through its 2025 Teacher of the Year program.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250903466569\/en\/\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250903466569\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20250903466569\/en\/2568195\/4\/GeorgiaTOY3.jpg\" class=\"mdc-responsive-image__image\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">Georgia Teacher of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\nNow in its fifth year of support in <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpi.nc.gov%2Feducators%2Feducator-recognition-programs%2Fburroughs-wellcome-fund-north-carolina-teacher-year&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=North+Carolina&amp;index=2&amp;md5=2df6a8ec6deef7b26aaf649536ed7566\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">North Carolina<\/a>, 17th in <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fed.sc.gov%2Feducators%2Frecruitment-and-recognition%2Fteacher-of-the-year%2F&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=South+Carolina&amp;index=3&amp;md5=1f6299ac36b2c1e9474b7beae592b951\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">South Carolina<\/a>, third in <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fgadoe.org%2Fgrants-awards-diploma-seals%2Fgeorgia-teacher-of-the-year%2F&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Georgia&amp;index=4&amp;md5=b19915b9b89b7cf8162e4aac9ba2ff37\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Georgia<\/a>, second in <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tn.gov%2Feducation%2Fnews%2F2025%2F8%2F22%2Ftennessee-announces-2025-26-teacher-of-the-year.html&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Tennessee&amp;index=5&amp;md5=7700812e93a8648aabe0a60681b4b652\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tennessee<\/a> and first year in <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.doe.virginia.gov%2Fteaching-learning-assessment%2Fteaching-in-virginia%2Feducator-awards-and-recognition%2Fteacher-of-the-year-recipients&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Virginia&amp;index=6&amp;md5=5b9c417eb62feba7e255da15e1a63541\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Virginia<\/a>, the Bojangles Foundation\u2019s support of the Teacher of the Year programs honors educators who go above and beyond for their students. Through partnerships with state departments of education, each Teacher of the Year finalist received donated books from the Bojangles Foundation and a Bojangles gift card, while state winners received an additional $500 in Bojangles gift cards and $2,500 cash as a thank-you for their leadership and impact. This year, the Foundation reached 642 school districts and donated 12,840 books across five states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Details of 2025 winners from each state included:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mdc-article-list mdc-article-list--unordered\" data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<li data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">Georgia<\/strong>: Rachel Kinsaul, an agriculture teacher at Morgan County High School, was named Georgia\u2019s Teacher of the Year. The Foundation supported 152 districts and donated 3,040 books.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">North Carolina<\/strong>: Rachel Candaso of Welcome Middle School was recognized as North Carolina\u2019s Teacher of the Year in Pitt County. The Foundation catered a celebratory breakfast for her school and donated 2,460 books across 123 districts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">South Carolina<\/strong>: Corey Bedenbaugh, a social studies teacher at Batesville-Leesville Middle School, was honored as South Carolina\u2019s Teacher of the Year. Karine Dobson of Lee Central High School received the Charles T. Dickerson Award. The Foundation supported 83 districts and donated 1,660 books.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">Tennessee<\/strong>: Dr. Brandi De La Cruz, a math teacher at Collierville High School, was named Tennessee\u2019s Teacher of the Year. All nine district finalists received a Big Bo Box of Books and a $100 Bojangles gift card. The Foundation supported 199 districts and donated 3,940 books.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-v-7b473e83=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">Virginia<\/strong>: Matthew Neal, an English and journalism instructor at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke County, was honored as Virginia\u2019s Teacher of the Year. The Foundation supported 87 districts and donated 1,740 books, along with a surprise breakfast celebration at his school.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\n\u201cTeachers play one of the most vital roles in our communities, and the Bojangles Foundation is proud to stand behind them,\u201d said Ken Reynolds, executive director of the Bojangles Foundation. \u201cOur goal is simple: We want every teacher to feel seen, supported and celebrated, especially at the start of a new school year \u2013 with books that inspire and Bojangles meals that bring a little joy to their day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\nEstablished in 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bojangles.com%2Ffoundation%2F&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=the+Bojangles+Foundation&amp;index=7&amp;md5=c2cce7a731e9ce70784e387887673508\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the Bojangles Foundation<\/a> champions three pillars of impact: literacy, military and first responders appreciation and strengthening community. Its Teacher of the Year efforts directly support literacy through meaningful engagement with schools and educators. As students and staff return to classrooms this fall, the Foundation is proud to help create warm welcomes and stronger starts. To learn more or support the Bojangles Foundation\u2019s work, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bojangles.com%2Ffoundation&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.bojangles.com%2Ffoundation&amp;index=8&amp;md5=46c0c0cf4eece5d02ebbf72849fceb6a\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.bojangles.com\/foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">About Bojangles, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\nBojangles is a Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in craveable Southern food made by hand from real recipes. Founded in 1977 as a single location in Charlotte, N.C., the beloved brand continues to grow \u2013 currently at around 800 company-owned and franchised restaurants \u2013 bringing its focus on food and people along with it. For more information about Bojangles\u2019 handcrafted approach to food and community impact, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bojangles.com%2F&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.bojangles.com&amp;index=9&amp;md5=2be32952eff6ed6e632ca014312323e0\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.bojangles.com<\/a>. To join in on the fan fun, follow Bojangles on <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbojangles%2F%3Fhl%3Den&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Instagram&amp;index=10&amp;md5=b3b22aff2a73d22b2e3e9ab1aae4b4e7\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40bojangles%3Flang%3Den&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=TikTok&amp;index=11&amp;md5=a8359500bfabf3c00223c22413fd7033\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TikTok<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBojangles%3Fref_src%3Dtwsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp%255Eserp%257Ctwgr%255Eauthor&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Twitter&amp;index=12&amp;md5=022eb8a00190ee143379a3c612e5939b\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Fdrive%2Ffolders%2F1_LGVNNVS8gPhWliAqlhmgAZ43Qi4BuvR%3Fusp%3Dsharing&amp;esheet=54317473&amp;newsitemid=20250903466569&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=MEDIA+ASSETS+HERE&amp;index=13&amp;md5=84bf92bd87f5b57e568b858c333ce13a\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">MEDIA ASSETS HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20250903466569r1&amp;sid=mstr3&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en\" class=\"mdc-responsive-image__image\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">\n<strong class=\"mdc-article-strong\" data-v-479a2324=\"\">Media Contacts:<br \/>\n<\/strong><br data-v-602de5d2=\"\"\/>Katie Combs, Luquire (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.morningstar.com\/news\/business-wire\/20250903466569\/mailto:kcombs@luquire.com\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">kcombs@luquire.com,<\/a> 704-807-2280)<br \/>\n<br data-v-602de5d2=\"\"\/>Stacey McCray, Bojangles (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.morningstar.com\/news\/business-wire\/20250903466569\/mailto:smccray@bojangles.com\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">smccray@bojangles.com<\/a>, 704-940-8736)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mdc-article-paragraph\" data-v-602de5d2=\"\">View source version on businesswire.com: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250903466569\/en\/\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"mdc-link__mdc mdc-link--body__mdc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20250903466569\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Bojangles Foundation Fuels Back-to-School Season with 12,840 Book Donations, Celebrates 2025 Teachers of the Year Across the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1849,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[1022,171,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-197050","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-books","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-united-states","11":"tag-unitedstates","12":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197050"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197050\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}