Fund for Women in Sussex County hosts garden party

The Fund for Women in Sussex County held a garden party June 7. Founders and guests wore their spring hats and gathered in the garden of Kathy Kiernan in Seaford to hear about the many contributions the fund has made to women and girls in Delaware.

Carolyn Strum, chair of the Sussex County development committee, explained how this year's interest from an endowment fund of $3.5 million provided over $190,000 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations. Five of the awarded grants specifically targeted Sussex County including Children & Families First, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, Pathways to Success Inc. and What is Your Voice Inc.

Featured speaker Sarah Gilmour discussed how Pathways to Success will use its grant funds. Gilmore highlighted the I Choose Success program that educates and empowers young ladies to make informed choices with an emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies. This program, targeting girls ages 15-19 in Sussex County high schools, has received high praise with impressive results.

As is the custom, a bell rings and people applaud when guests join the organization. Julia Canterna, Doreilla Jean Francois, Marlene Mervine, Janet Redman and Amy Walls became founders at the party.

Since its inception in 1993, the Fund for Women has awarded $2.5 million to hundreds of programs throughout Delaware. The goal is to enroll 2,018 founders by 2018 when the Fund for Women will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Those who have been fortunate in their lives and livelihoods are helping women and girls overcome the many barriers that may stand in their way to success.

For more information, go to www.delcf.org/ffw or email info@DeFundforWomen.com.