Community Briefs 8/26/21

Mitchell elected Delaware Lions’ district governor 

At the convention held virtually May 20-22, H. David Mitchell of Millsboro was elected district governor to serve the Lions Clubs of Delaware. His term of office began July 1. Lions International serves worldwide and is known for service for vision, childhood cancer research, diabetes education and research, and hunger-relief programs. There are clubs throughout the state in all three counties. For more information on a local club, contact Cheryl Jones at cjones228@comcast.net or 302-258-4282.

Foundation awards Eliason Funds grants

Honoring the wishes of the late Helen Eliason, the Delaware Community Foundation has awarded $538,981 in grants from the philanthropist’s Fund for Children’s Literacy and the Education and Greening Fund. Eliason believed that if children could read and communicate, they had hope and a future, and that children should understand the value of the land from which their food comes. Local organizations receiving children’s literacy grants include: Read Aloud Delaware, $10,932, to offset costs associated with implementing the new LENA Start virtual program; and Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, $79,701 to upgrade equipment needed to provide low-income families access to technology for virtual learning, emergency childcare, virtual programming, trauma-informed and mental health care, food and summer learning. 

Summit honors Impact Award winners

At the Millennial Summit, young leaders who are making an impact in the Delaware community were named 2021 Impact Award winners. Local awardees included Alonna Berry of the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, Nicole Irvin of Big Fish Restaurant Group and Jaime Sayler of First State Community Action Agency. Attendees heard from more than 80 speakers who led discussions in the areas of leadership, finance, advocacy, nonprofits, health and wellness, the arts and entrepreneurship. The summit was organized by Spur Impact Association, a nonprofit focused on connecting young professionals, and inspiring them to get involved and make an impact in their communities and career fields. Spur Impact helps support and engage these future leaders through different events and networking opportunities. 

For information, go to spurimpact.org.

Basic boating class set Aug. 28

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-02 will conduct a Delaware Basic Boating Course Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave. 

Cost for the eight-hour course is $15 per person. In-person class participation will follow CDC and state guidelines for COVID. 

Class registration at the door begins at 8 a.m. Class starts at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at about 4:30 p.m. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Safe Boating Certificate. All materials for the class will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a bagged lunch. 

Mandatory boating education is required for persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 to operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft/jet ski on Delaware waters. 

Interested participants should preregister by email to nsstein@comcast.net or call Norman Stein at 302-966-0078. 

Laura Madara Back-to-School Health Fair set Aug. 28

The Sussex Safe Kids Coalition, Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company, Selbyville Police Department and Indian River School District invite community members to the Laura Madara Back-to-School Health Fair set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, at Selbyville Fire Company. Organizers wish to serve the health needs of area children while honoring the memory of their friend and community servant Laura Madara.

Live Life Give Life fundraiser set Aug. 29

The Double T Foundation DE is hosting a fundraiser Live Life Give Life Pageant and Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Noble’s Pond community, Dover. Funds raised will benefit and help those who wish to become living donors. For more information, go to doubletfoundationde.com.

UUSD to analyze rainbows Aug. 29

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold an in-person and livestreamed service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 29, at 30486 Lewes-Georgetown Highway. Look to the Rainbow will be the topic. 

UUSD member Richard Welk said, “The rainbow represents a myriad of possibilities, theories  and interpretations. Let’s examine a few of them and discover a connection to UU roots together.” 

For more information, go to uussd.org.

Blood drive at St. Andrew church Aug. 30

In cooperation with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, St. Andrew Orthodox Church will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30. The church is at 33384 Mackenzie Way, Lewes. Preregistration is requested. 

To sign up, go to orthodoxdelmar.org.

Nonprofits can apply for grants by Aug. 30

Delaware nonprofits are invited to apply for general operating grants of up to $15,000 from the Community Needs Grants Program at the Delaware Community Foundation. The deadline is 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30.  The Community Needs Grants Program is part of the Delaware COVID-19 Strategic Response Fund, a partnership of DCF and Philanthropy Delaware.  In this round, the program – which has awarded more than $4 million in pandemic-related grants – will support Delaware nonprofits’ efforts to reopen, return to normal operations or expand operations as the pandemic’s effects are ongoing. This is the final planned Community Needs Grant opportunity.

For eligibility details and to apply, go to delcf.org/covid-grants.

Master gardener workshops continue Aug. 31

Sussex Master Gardeners will host Extend the Growing Season with a Cold Frame at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 31, via Zoom. Master gardener Gaye Mara will facilitate. Like a mini-greenhouse, a cold frame captures the sun’s light and heat, and protects tender plants from the cold. In the local mild climate, it can provide a steady supply of fresh herbs, greens, and other edibles through the winter. Gardeners can buy or easily build one in whatever size suits their needs.

The garden helpline is open Monday to Friday to answer questions about lawn and gardening needs, 302-856-2585, Ext. 535. To ask gardening question 24 hours a day, go to udel.edu/extension/ask. For essential general information, go to udel.edu/lawn-garden.

Retirement Bootcamp free financial sessions to start Aug. 31

Delaware Money School will present a Retirement Bootcamp series with facilitator Robert Jeter, CFP, CRPC, of InFocus Financial Advisors. Sessions will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesdays, Aug. 31, Sept. 7, and Sept. 14, at the Lewes Public Library. Topics will be retirement planning, savvy Social Security and retirement investing. 

Sessions are free but space is limited. To reserve a space, go to retireinfocus.com/register2 or dfli.org.