Share: 

$22,000 raised for Meals on Wheels Delaware

Gathered at the Meals on Wheels Delaware brunch at Grain on the Rocks are (l-r) Regina Dodds, Matthew Rice, Thomas Protack, Falan Mifflin, Katie Wilkinson, Rick Downes, Ritchie Francia, Willis Bininger, Deb Adelman, Nicole Bailey Ashton, Edward Hourihan, Anne Love, Randi Homola, Mary Ellen Hasset and Susan Dubb. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
October 12, 2022

Meals on Wheels Delaware raises funds and awareness for five meal-delivery programs statewide that have delivered 898,509 hot and nutritious meals to more than 6,600 seniors across the state with the help of almost 1,000 volunteers in 2021. CHEER and Meals On Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth deliver meals in Sussex County. On Oct. 9 at Grain on the Rocks in Lewes, delicious creations from some of the area’s finest restaurants were delivered to some of those volunteers.

The 20th Beach Brunch, presented by Fulton Bank, was a way for the nonprofit organization to thank those who donate their time to help accomplish Meals on Wheels’ mission and raise more funds from those who donate their money. 

Food was provided from Grain on the Rocks, Cafe on 26, Eden, SoDel Concepts, Striper Bites and Pasqualina’s. Cocktails were mixed up by the likes of Beach Time Distilling, Crooked Hammock Brewery, Sposato’s and Devil Daves. Providing tunes for the picture perfect day was Hot Sauce Band.

Local volunteers Jeff and Ida Rowe were presented a gift and honored for their contributions to the Lewes region, while Julia Bock accepted a gift on behalf of Mickey Jerrell, who was unable to attend due to a back injury. Despite the injury, Jerrell has delivered 500 meals to the CHEER center since March 21.

A third of residents living in Sussex County are 65 or older and Fulton Bank’s Katie Wilkinson said that Meals on Wheels Delaware is experiencing the greatest need for individuals aged 75 to 85. Wilkinson also noted there are more people in the area living to be 100 or older more than ever. 

As a nonprofit, Meals on Wheels Delaware relies on contributions from the public and private sectors while leaning on volunteers for much of their work. The brunch was also a way to continue to raise funds. Honorary Chair Tom Protack, president of the Beebe Medical Foundation, is an accomplished auctioneer and helped boost efforts by conducting a live auction during the brunch. A silent auction was held too. 

Beautifully painted Adirondack chairs, a vacation getaway and dinner for six with transportation and gratuity paid for at Cafe on 26 were some of the more popular items. The vacation getaway, which was a trip to New York City, netted $6,000 on its own. Both the live auction and silent auction raised more than $11,000, brining in more than $22,000 to Meals on Wheels Delaware for the day. Marketing Manager Randi Homola said the figures exceeded their goals.

More information about volunteering or donating is available at mealsonwheelsde.org

 

Even for those who don’t like a little zing with their eggs, Hot Sauce Band spiced up the morning feast.
Three sets of custom-painted, foldable Adirondack chairs were some of the many items auctioned off for the benefit of Meals on Wheels Delaware.
Monica Weber shares a laugh with Karen Sposato and Don Weber. Sposato Family Vineyards is located in Milton.
Eden’s John Rainier mixes up a few cocktails that match the color of the fall foliage and complement the flavors of the fall palate.
What’s a brunch without a bloody? Devil Daves’ Ryan Pakenas and Josh Holland keep things spicy.
Fulton Bank’s Katie Wilkinson explains that one third of Sussex County’s residents are 65 or older, and those aged 75 to 85 are in the most need.
Meals on Wheels Delaware’s Nicole Bailey Ashton presents Jeff and Ida Rowe with a token of appreciation to thank them for being volunteers who deliver meals in the Lewes area.
Volunteer Mickey Jerrell has given 500 hours of his time since March 21 to deliver meals to the CHEER center. A back injury has done little to take him off his meal delivering task, but did keep him from the brunch. Meals on Wheels Executive Director Anne Love presents a gift to Julia Bock, accepting on behalf of Jerrell.
Unconfirmed, but rumor has it the pelican was empty and the bag was full when the brunch began ...
Attendees were treated to delectable delights from some of the area’s finest restaurants. Beebe Medical Foundation’s President Tom Protack was the honorary chair.
Beebe Medical Foundation’s President Tom Protack, the honorary chair of the event, is also an accomplished auctioneer and leads the live auction of items such as a dinner for six at Cafe on 26.

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular