Community Briefs 12/28/22

Draper Foundation donates $2K to Clothing Our Kids

The Bless Our Children campaign run by Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation Inc. recently donated $2,000 to Clothing Our Kids. To provide appropriate school attire for children in need at Sussex County’s 10 Head Start programs, 34 elementary schools and 10 middle schools, Clothing Our Kids relies on the continuous kindness of its many donors throughout the community.

Repairing substandard housing critical for public health

According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy & Administration, the impact of substandard housing on health and the need for critical home repairs in low-income, owner-occupied homes in Delaware is clear. Delaware’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates collaborated for a joint press conference to announce findings from a new statewide needs assessment for repairs to low-income owner-occupied housing in Delaware. The research was funded by a Delaware Community Foundation grant.

Studies reveal that individual hardships among low-income homeowners tend to be concentrated geographically in declining or distressed areas. This means low-income residential areas with elevated levels of homeownership are likely to contain many households that would benefit from assistance with home repairs, and such assistance would benefit not only individual households, but also uplift the quality of entire neighborhoods and communities. To read the full study, go to sussexcountyhabitat.org.

Sussex Habitat raises $45K at Building Hope Breakfast

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity recently hosted its annual Building Hope Breakfast at the CHEER Center in Georgetown. Kevin Gilmore, Sussex Habitat CEO, welcomed attendees and Madeleine Overturf of WRDE served as emcee. Three guest speakers shared their stories of how Sussex County Habitat’s repair program, financial literacy and homebuyer programs brought positive impact on their lives.

Through generous donations in support of the mission of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, more than $45,000 was raised. To learn more or donate, go to sussexcountyhabitat.org.

VFW, NERA, BMBFC Law team to assist with Camp Lejeune claims

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association each endorsed the experienced environmental litigation team at the law firm of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea with guiding and assisting their members in navigating legal claims related to exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

“Ensuring veterans harmed in the line of duty are made whole has been a guiding principle for the VFW since our founding more than 123 years ago,” said Tim Borland, VFW national commander. “We are honored to entrust BMBFC with this vital mission to ensure veterans and their families who benefit from filing a lawsuit are represented by a team with relevant expertise and veterans’ best interest at heart.”

“Given their deep experience in obtaining justice for communities affected by groundwater contamination and their commitment to doing right by veterans, we fully trust the law firm of BMBFC with this important mission,” said Joanne M. Elliott, NERA national president. 

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act authorizes veterans and military families who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune from August 1953 to December 1987 to file a federal tort claim for harm caused by such exposure. To learn more, go to camplejeunegroundwater.com/vfw or camplejeunegroundwater.com/nera or call or call 443-665-0375.

UUSD to meet Jan. 1

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold an in-person and livestreamed Service of Remembrance at 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 1, led by UUSD members Mac and Susan Goekler, Peter Schott, Micah Jung and Marta Dominguez. “We take time at the beginning of a new year to celebrate the lives of people who have affected our lives directly or indirectly, and to remember those who died this past year. We will acknowledge their contributions and celebrate their lives,” said Alice Casey, UUSD member. For more information, go to uussd.org.

City of Lewes offices closed Jan. 2

The City of Lewes and Lewes Board of Public Works offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the the New Year’s Day holiday.

Both offices will resume normal hours and operations Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Youth Philanthropy Board grant requests due Jan. 2

Delaware nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware Community Foundation Sussex County Youth Philanthropy Board. Consideration will be given to nonprofits that focus on supporting those who struggle with access to reproductive services and teen pregnancy, and services for mental health and substance abuse. Preference is given to nonprofits that mentor students in middle school and high school, to help them avoid and minimize these obstacles. Grant requests are due by 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2, at delcf.org/grants. Applicants will be notified in the spring of 2023.

The DCF sponsors the boards in each county to encourage younger generations to become more involved in philanthropy. Each board, composed of high school students from public, private and parochial schools, is allotted a pool of money to give in the form of charitable grants. The students learn about philanthropy and effective grant-making, study youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools, solicit grant proposals, and award grants to those they determine to be most deserving.

Beebe Healthcare hiring events continue Jan. 4

Beebe Healthcare announced upcoming hiring events. Candidates who attend must bring a copy of their resume and wear a mask.

For environmental services, interviews will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the Specialty Surgical Hospital on the Rehoboth Health Campus at 19161 Healthy Way, Rehoboth Beach. A $2,500 sign-on bonus is being offered. Job roles include floor techs, housekeeping and laundry services.