Events

April 24, 2015 by scstarter

Lessard Builders Partners With Habitat for Humanity For Delaware Home Builders Blitz Build For Delaware home builder Brian Lessard giving back the community has always been a priority. Over the years he has worked with numerous non-profits within the Delaware community through with local schools, organizations such as Harvest Years Senior Center, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Wilmington and in most recent years, Habitat for Humanity. “I enjoy working with Habitat for Humanity because everything you do is local in the Delaware community and as an individual you actually see your effort making a difference in your backyard. Habitat for Humanity has evolved into a niche non-profit for me because the required skills to give back to the community and resources are directly related to the new construction industry while helping others succeed.” – Brian Lessard, Lessard Builders The Lessard Builders Team has worked with both the Kent County and Sussex County Delaware Habitat for Humanity chapters through various Women Builds, Delaware Home Builders Blitz Builds and every day new home construction builds. Most recently, Brian’s rewarding experience working with Habitat for Humanity has influenced him become the President of the local Central Delaware chapter and become a major home builder partner in Central Delaware’s first Home Builders Blitz Build.

Home Builders Blitz 2014

The Home Builders Blitz Build is an exciting opportunity for Habitat for Humanity affiliates and professional builders to partner together to build new homes across the United States. The “blitz” part of the Home Builders Blitz is that the homes are built quickly – within a 5 to 10 day time frame! Welcomed by the industry, the Home Builders Blitz is an opportunity that gives new construction professionals an opportunity to work together, give back and build homes within their community – in a timely manner that they can fit into their schedule. Central Delaware Home Builders Blitz: Two Homes. Two Families. One Week! Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity plans to build two homes in downtown Dover, Delaware in one week. Brian Lessard is overseeing the project in the planning stages as President and acting as the home builder for one of the Builders Blitz homes in downtown Dover. The second home will be built by Habitat for Humanity construction volunteers and local contractors. The 2015 Home Builders Blitz houses are part of a total of five proposed Habitat for Humanity new construction homes in downtown Dover and part of two recent community development support programs, the Downtown Development District designation and the newly created Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund. Together these initiatives will work together with Habitat for Humanity to build and strengthen neighborhoods in downtown Dover. Central Delaware Home Builders Blitz: Dover, Delaware June 8-12, 2015 Home Builders Blitz is an exciting opportunity for Delaware Habitat for Humanity affiliates and professional builders to partner together to build new homes. Watch highlights from the Home Builders Blitz 2014, where professional builders across the United States partnered with Habitat to construct more than 250 new homes: Get Involved! If you’re a contractor interested in participating in the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz – please do not hesitate to contact us! If you’re not a contractor and you’d like to join the fun – you can! Volunteers and vendors are still needed. Call Habitat for Humanity at (302) 526-2364 or Lessard Builders at (302) 698-1091. Habitat For Humanity Vision: A World Where Everyone Has A Decent Place To Live Habitat for Humanity new homes are built for homeowners that meet specific qualifications. Habitat homes are not given away – to qualify families must live in substandard housing, earn less than 60% of the local median income, contribute 250 sweat equity hours, and purchase the home through a no-interest loan. Habitat does more than build affordable houses – it builds stronger, more stable families.

Becoming a homeowner achieves many of the following positive outcomes:
Developments a sense of community
Improves the outcome of children’s education
Improves the family’s health, many Habitat partner homeowners previously lived in substandard conditions with mold and additional health risks.
Builds self-esteem and creates a sense of pride
Develops greater financial independence and wealth accumulation
Provides an education for home maintenance skills

The Lessard Builders team is looking forward to a full week of intense, efficient home building for a good cause! Stay tuned for more Delaware Home Builders Blitz news. If interested in joining the Lessard Builders team for a future Habitat for Humanity Home Build, please email at [email protected].

Feel Free To Save & Share The Central Delaware Home Builders Blitz Images To Help Spread The Word!

February 18, 2015 by scstarter

Unmask A Child’s Future Charity Event:
Delaware Masquerade Ball for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sussex County, Delaware

Prior to sitting down with the Sussex County organizers of the Unmask A Child’s Future: Delaware Masquerade Ba ll, I shared the same first hand knowledge that most people have about the Boys & Girls Clubs Delaware: that the clubs are gyms where the community comes together for after school activities and athletics. I learned that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware are much, much more than that and play a large role in the futures of Delaware students.

Let’s face it, life is not so easy being a kid these days. Poverty, obesity and high school dropout rates are real life challenges for today’s youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware help combat these challenges by providing a unique mix of quality programs that focus on education, character building, physical education, health, and the arts. Collectively, the Delaware clubs serve over 25,000 youth — 1 out of every five school-aged children in the state. Over fifty percent of the children served have annual family incomes of $20,000 and forty percent of the youth come from single parent households. I was impressed to learn that 87 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to services and programs for kids and that sixty percent of club students in the educational programs see better results in Delaware State Testing.

One Large Event To Help All The Clubs in Sussex County
What makes The Delaware Masquerade Ball different from other Boys & Girls Club events in Sussex County? I can tell you from Gals That Give experience that it takes a lot of effort to put together a fundraiser – event planning, creating a committee, finding sponsors, auction items, securing the venue, choosing the menu, talking to vendors, selling tickets, sending invitations and then there are the small details that pop up along the way. There are six clubs in Sussex County and each individual club goes through this process multiple times a year for separate events within the same county, shared communities, sponsors, vendors, etc. The goal behind The Boys & Girls Club Masquerade Ball of Sussex County is to bring the Delaware community together for one event with larger sponsorships, attendance and proceeds to be split amongst the clubs of Sussex County. It makes sense to me! Neighbors helping neighbors – we’re a small state with a strong community and why not bring everyone together to support all the clubs in one large event and relieve pressure on some of the smaller events.

Yay! We’re A Sponsor: Join us at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Delaware Masquerade Ball!
The Lessard Builders team is pretty excited to attend the Masquerade Ball on March 7th to help build great futures for the boys and girls of Sussex County. Tickets are still available – we hope you’ll decide to mark your calendars for March 7th and party with us for a good cause. Keep reading to learn more about the event and about The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware.

A Fundraiser for #GreatFutures in Sussex County
The Masquerade Ball.. Unmask A Child’s Future is a black tie event and will be held Saturday, March 7th from 6 pm to 11 pm at Heritage Shores Club in Bridgeville, Delaware. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online by clicking this link or reservations can be made by contacting Zaida I. Guajardo at [email protected]. Proceeds benefit the Georgetown, Oak Orchard, Dagsboro, Seaford and Laurel Boys and Girls Clubs.

Masks & Music: Party Like Its Mardi Gras!
The Masquerade Ball is what it sounds like – a big party where guests can rock their favorite mask. It brings me back to the 1990’s version of Romeo & Juliet with Leonardo Dicaprio! It looks like so much fun. There will be entertainment from The Fabulous Grease Band, live auction, silent auction, step & repeat photography by Mike Baker & much more.

Event Sponsors: Let’s Party For Charity!
Lessard Builders is not the only business that supports a fancy evening out for a good cause. Other sponsors include The Freeman Foundation, Fulton Bank, Johnny Janosiks, Nanticoke Hospital, Craig’s Technologies, The Car Store and Discover are some of the few that have signed up to party for a good cause to date.

Win Something Awesome At The Auction
Items are still coming in from local businesses but the latest list includes auction items from 16 Mile Brewing Company, a low digit tag from the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicle, Complimentary Storage from All Climate Storage, Harrington Raceway & Casino: Bonz Gift Certificate, Ducks Unlimited, NASCAR Tickets, Coastal Brewing Company, Charlton Limited Jewelers, Bizzy Bee Service and Big Fish! Grill Restaurant.

Phantom of The Opera or Mardi Gras?
We hope you’ll join us in Bridgeville, Delaware next month! It is going to be a fantastic time. The hardest part will be trying to figure out which mask style to choose – I’m torn between choosing the Phantom of the Opera or a Venetian Mardi Gras look. Which style would you choose?

Tuxedo Rental Gives Back To Boys & Girls Clubs
Guys – if you need to rent a tuxedo for the event, you can rent your tuxedo from event sponsor, Bizzy Bee Service for the Masquerade Ball from any of the Sussex County locations. Bizzy Bee Service will donate 10% of all rentals to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. In addition, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware’s Corporate Board will MATCH the donation! Call 302-841-9639 for information.

Open The Door to Great Futures with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sussex County, Delaware
The mission of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware provide a wealth of programs and activities to prepare young people for real-world successes. By focusing on academics, health and fitness, and leadership and service, the children Clubs serve will be better prepared to graduate high school and thrive as adults, contributing to their communities and to their nation. The Delaware Masquerade Ball for Boys & Girls Clubs of Sussex County is dedicated to these programs and aims to help create great futures for the residents of Sussex County, Delaware.

December 20, 2014 by scstarter

Dog Parks Have Many Benefits For Humans & Dogs! When our first dog Wolfgang became part of our family he was a little ball of fluff, a six pound puppy that would grow into a very excited 65 pound ball of energy. Just around the corner from us was a six acre dog park and when he reached four months we took him there up to three times a day.

Meet Wolfgang! Wolfgang With Friends at Delaware Dog Park Many Acres To Run!

An off leash park, Wolfgang was able to run around, get socialized, become obsessed with the “Chuck-It” and we even developed a weekly routine with other people and pups. The dog park was a great way to burn our new dog’s energy, ensure a healthy development and meet members within the community. We take Wolfgang everywhere he is permitted, we’ve traveled with him to Annapolis, Alexandria, The Poconos and he is my little co-pilot on my travels throughout the state of Delaware. There are a handful of established off-leash dog parks in Delaware including Levels Road Dog Park in Middletown, Carousel Equestrian Farm Off Leash Area in Wilmington, Tidbury Dog Park in Dover, Lums Pond Dog Park in Bear, Iron HIll in Newark and Brandywine Park Off Leash Area in Wilmington. The dog owners at these parks will drive thirty minutes to an hour for a good dog park experience or just because they do not have one in their hometown. We stop into the Delaware dog parks with Wolfgang on day trips with hopes to find a dog friendly restaurant along the way.

Wolfgang & Chevy at Cape Henlopen State Park Dogs Make Great Co-Pilots!

How Dog Friendly Is Delaware? In my opinion, I’d love for Delaware to be just like Alexandria, Virginia where there are dog bowls and dog menus everywhere you go. We are getting there! Delaware’s dog friendly status has improved in recent years but the Delaware beaches have always been the most dog friendliest. This summer Wolfgang tagged along with us on trips to Milton, Lewes and Rehoboth. We have taken him to the beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, downtown Lewes, Arena’s, Irish Eyes, downtown Milton and even had a few craft beers with food at the Dogfish Head Brewery. I feel that taking him to dog parks and subjecting him to different dog friendly environments has really helped him socialize and grow into a very friendly dog.

Wolfgang At The Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton

Lewes Dog Park – August 2015! Yes! The Lewes Unleashed group has been working hard to bring a dog park to the Delaware Beaches and I was overjoyed to read that a 4.5 acre off leash dog park in Lewes was approved and is set to open in August 2015. Yay! You will be able to take your furry kid on a stroll down 2nd street Lewes, grab a latte at Notting Hill Coffee and swing into the dog park down Pilottown Road or New Road. If you know Lewes – you just have to go towards the wind turbines or the area known as University of Delaware Research Park.

Location of Lewes Dog Park

What will it look like? Lewes Unleashed and Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects have put together this concept that was approved in 2012.

Lewes Unleashed Concept plan by Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects

About Lewes Unleashed – Lewes Dog Park Who is this hardworking group that will bring happiness to many Delaware Beach dogs and their owners? According to their website, Lewes Unleashed is an non-profit organization of residents who see the need for a dog park in Lewes, Delaware. They have collaborated and coordinated activities to educate residents, gain support and work with the City of Lewes to plan, fund and build a park for our dogs. The land will be sub-leased to Lewes Unleashed to oversee the project. The plan is to have 3 fenced areas; a general dog area, a small dog area, and a reserved area that will be used for events such as dog training clinics. There will be wooded trails, play areas, shelters, and benches. Estimated construction costs are $110,000 to clear portions of the land, install vinyl fencing, provide covered areas, benches, and water fountains. Lewes Unleashed Needs Your Help To Complete the Lewes Dog Park! In order to get the Lewes dog park to completion by August 2015, Lewes Unleashed will have to raise $110,000. Every little bit counts and since they have 501c3 status, donations are tax deductible. Please consider a donation to help this project happen for Delaware beach residents and visitors. Also – please share to spread the word because everyone will be able to use this public dog park on a visit to Lewes, Delaware – resident or not! You can donate online via the Lewes Unleashed Lewes Dog Park Go Fund Me page: http://bit.ly/LewesUnleashed Lewes Dog Park Donations can be mailed to: Lewes Unleashed Lewes Dog Park PO Box 406 Lewes, DE 19958 Connect with Lewes Unleashed by visiting their website and connecting with Lewes Unleashed on Facebook. Thank you for reading this post! I’m very excited to take Wolfgang to the Lewes dog park on my visits to Lewes, Delaware. The plans for the Lewes dog park by Lewes Unleashed and Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects look like a well thought out plan that includes trails, wooded areas and separate areas for big dogs and little dogs! My travels with Wolfgang across Delaware have made me realize the need for a dog park in Lewes and I hope this post helps spread the word! The trails look awesome and I know Wolfgang will love them! If you are looking for more information on the Lewes Dog Park and dog friendly places in Delaware, here are a few links and resources to help your search: – Cape May – Lewes Ferry Is Pet Friendly! Any pet that can travel with you in the car can travel on the ferry. – Southern Delaware Is Pet Friendly via Southern Delaware Tourism Lazy L Bed and Breakfast Resort in Lewes, Delaware If you are visiting the Delaware Beaches with your pup there are a handful of places that accommodate dogs but the Lazy L Bed and Breakfast Resort is the the friendliest! The Lazy L is located on 8 private and secluded acres just outside the town of Lewes, Delaware. Situated on the edge of a tidal creek vibrant with birds and wildlife, this bed and breakfast has a 1 acre fenced in for off leash play. Baltimore Sun Jill Rosen recommends the Lazy L at Willow Creek Bed & Breakfast: “Owners Debbie Estes and Joanne Cassidy, who have three dogs of their own — Lewie, Kelley and Rosey — know exactly what a vacationing dog owner needs: water bowls, lots of extra towels, flashlights for nighttime dog walks and blankets to spread over the bed so the little — or not-so-little — guy can sleep with you.” – The Inns and Outs of Weekending With Rover via The Washington Post – Beach Places That Welcome Your Dog via Baltimore Sun Article by Jill Rosen – Delaware Beaches Pet-Friendly Destinations via Delaware Tourism Website – Lewes council approves dog park sublease via Delmarva Now by Rachael Pacella October 2014 – Lewes Dog Park Gets A Green Light, via Cape Gazette by Henry J. Evans, Jr. March 2012 – Why Rehoboth Is A Dog-Friendly Vacation Destination via Huffington Post by Linda Lombardi – Wilmington Ranks No. 3 in the Country for Dog-Friendly Cities via Delaware Today by Joanne Cannon, March 2013 – Pet Friendly Accommodations: Rehoboth.com Dog Friendly Events: Delaware SPCA Bark on the Boards Dog Walk, Rehoboth Beach Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach – October 23rd – 25th, 2015 Festival takes place in Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach with Costume Parade, Dog Parade, Trick or Treating, Fun and Silly Games & Activities, Live Bandstand Entertainment, Lantern Tours, 5K Race and much more! Greyhounds Reach the Beach: October, Dewey Beach For more than 12 years thousands of greyhounds and their owners have gathered to participate in this event held annually on Columbus Day weekend. There are a variety of activities, contests, educational and rescue programs, and plenty of doggy and human shopping available. Delaware Humane Society’s Muttini Mixer – Saturday March 14, 2015 DHA’s Muttini Mixer is a dog-friendly cocktail party fundraiser held each spring. This fun event is great opportunity for guests and their dogs to mix and mingle with other DHA supporters and animal lovers while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction items, music, and more. Dressy attire is encouraged for dogs and their people. Springtime for Greyhounds: April in Dewey Beach Dog Friendly Happy Hours hosted by Delaware Humane Society Meet and mingle with other animal lovers who support Delaware Humane Association at Playtime at the Beach, a series of “doggy happy hours” hosted by local restaurants and bars in Rehoboth Beach from May through October each year.

November 25, 2014 by scstarter

In 2010 American Express launched a Small Business Saturday campaign to encourage consumers to remember the little local guys during the holiday shopping season. Small Business Saturday is the Saturday after Thanksgiving and since 2010 the trend has grown exponentially. American Express has done a great job with providing marketing tools to the small businesses to help communicate the “Shop Small” message to local communities and simultaneously offer a Small Business Saturday incentive to bring people to their store. If you are purchasing items with your American Express card, you can register you card ahead of time to receive statement credits by purchasing at verified small businesses.

Shop Small at All Climate Storage Center — All Climate Storage Center: Shop Small Marketing Image

We think that you should shop small all year round but love that there is a day dedicated to supporting small business. It helps create awareness in our small state and gives small business owners a platform to say what they do and why they do it.

This post’s intention is to remind you the importance of living local, shopping small and supporting the community you live in. You’ll see statistics pulled from resources around the web, primarily the American Express Open Website. I’ve also created #ShopSmall and #LiveLocal images specific to Delaware. Feel free to use them and share them with your community Thanksgiving week and throughout the year!

One more thing – share with us some of your favorite places to eat and shop small on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. If you want to share why one of the reasons you will shop small this Saturday- we’d love to hear your thoughts too!

I’ll go first! I love the experience that comes with shopping small – the “mom and pop shop” feel that you get from a unique atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable service. I love that you can talk to the owners and truly see what makes them so passionate and thrilled to do what they do. They are always asking for feedback and trying to see what they can do to fine tune the art of their industry.

Here are a few of my favorite “little (but awesome!) local guys” in Delaware:

Nottinghill Coffee, Lewes, Delaware
Teller Wines, Lewes, Delaware
Chateleine’s (Jewelry), Lewes, Delaware
a (MUSE.), Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Browseabout Books, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Pickled Pig Pub, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Pig + Fish, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

The Backyard, Milton, Delaware
Dolce Coffee & Bakery, Milford, Delaware
Abbott’s Grill, Milford, Delaware

Witt Brother’s Market, Wyoming Delaware
Delaware Bay Trading Company, Camden, Delaware
Fifer’s Orchard, Wyoming, Delaware
TA Farms, Wyoming, Delaware

Bayard Pharmacy, Dover Delaware
Bel Boutique, Dover Delaware
Frankfurt Bakery & Deli, Dover Delaware
Dinos & Darlings, Dover, Delaware
Restaurant 55, Dover, Delaware
Kaizen Karate Academy, Dover, Delaware

Painted Stave Distillery, Smyrna, Delaware
The Young Bean Cafe, Clayton, Delaware
Willey Farms, Townsend, Delaware
Cantwell’s Tavern, Odessa, Delaware

1861 Gastropub, Middletown, Delaware
First & Little Boutique, Middletown, Delaware
Purple Sage Tea, Middletown, Delaware
Fromage Cheese Shop, Middletown, Delaware
La Piazza Italian Restaurant, Middletown, Delaware

Soffritos Italian Grill, Newark, Delaware
The Corner Bistro, Wilmington, Delaware
BellaVista Trattoria & Pizzeria, Wilmington, Delaware

Outside of Delaware:
We had such an amazing time here that they are certainly worth mentioning to remember the little guys when you are on vacation too!

Oh My Chocolate, Stevensville, Maryland
Southsides Bar & Grill, Chesapeake City, Maryland
The Aldrich House, Williamsburg Virginia
Tria Wine Bar, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
The Lotus Guest House, Provincetown Cape Cod Massachusetts
The Pickle Jar Kitchen, Falmouth, Cape Cod Massachusetts
The Quahog Dive Bar, Falmouth, Cape Cod Massachusetts

I’d love to hear your favorite places to live local!

November 5, 2014 by scstarter

We’re hosting a Happy Hour- Open House this Friday, November 7th and we invite you to join us from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at our Move In Ready home, The Tyrell. All are welcome – if you are looking for a specific floor plan or home design, real estate agents, friends or family of those looking to relocate to Delaware. We’d love for you to stop by and hang out with us! There will be heavy h’orderves, beer, wine and door prizes! Please RSVP to the real estate open house via this Eventbrite link or email [email protected]. Real Estate Open House Location: Just north of Villages of Five Points East Osprey Landing 14886 Heron Ct, Milton, Delaware 19958 Referral Program: Tell & Invite A Friend! Win a weekend getaway at the beach! For anyone that refers a friend that falls in love with The Tyrell at Osprey Landing and they become the future homeowner, you will recieve gift certificates to some of the best local restaurants and a hotel night stay in Lewes, Delaware. Home Design: The Tyrell Priced at $369,000, The Tyrell was built with over 30K in upgrades including prefinished hardwood flooring, granite countertops, two porches, tray ceilings, trimwork, tile in the laundry room and bathrooms, recessed lighting, maple cabinets and more. Lot Size: .75 Acre Square Footage: 2,040 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Garage: Two Car Garage School District: Cape Henlopen Please email us for additional information – we hope you’ll join us!

November 5, 2014 by scstarter

Last month’s event for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition was unforgettable. We stood together with a room full of breast cancer survivors, their families and heard firsthand experiences from four amazing women from the Delaware community. Our largest attended event yet, we packed the Outlook at the Duncan Center with over 230 ladies dressed in pink for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Collectively, the Gals That Give community successfully raised $5,800 in just a few hours.

One year ago I’m not sure that any of us thought that we’d raise over forty thousand dollars for the Delaware community in 11 events. What an amazing first year it has been and we can’t be more thankful for the women that join us every month, tell their friends, share our posts (and also through paid promotion through themarketingheaven.com) on social media and donating auction items. With the help of these wonderful women and local businesses, the Gals That Give community, as a whole is making a difference in Delaware. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate our 1 year anniversary, a co-ed event we’re calling “Gals (& Guys) That Give” on November 20th for the Dover Fraternal Order of The Police.

For the October event for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, we tried a few new activities that we can’t wait to implement again in the future! Here are a few pictures from the event!

#GoPink Wear Your Best Pink Outfit For Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
We told the ladies that we would be secretly judging them & that the best pink outfit would win a prize. The winner won a tasty dessert arrangement donated from Dawne Nickerson-Banez of Frankfurt Bakery.

#Gals4Charity Picture Contest
We challenged the ladies to post their best pictures on facebook, twitter & instagram with the #gals4charity hashtag. It was a blast! The winner of won our custom Gals That Give Delaware Charity t-shirt and a bottle of champagne for their table.

Mission: Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization offering statewide programs and services of education, outreach, and early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. DBCC’s programs reach diverse communities to deliver messages that address their unique concerns about breast cancer and early detection. All funds raised for DBCC support programs in Delaware and the neighboring areas in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Programs in Kent County reach Hispanic, African American, Haitian, uninsured, and underinsured women and men affected by breast cancer. We connect these populations and the general public to breast health education, financial support for screening, prosthesis, wigs, and resources for the newly diagnosed including beginning your breast cancer journey classes and peer mentors.

Mission: Gals That Give Delaware Charity

Gals that Gives’ mission is to cultivate local community non-profit organizations by connecting them with a larger network so they can continue to make an impact where we live and breathe every day.

There are five founders that lead the organization:
Kim Willson, Ruggerio & Willson
Erin Barrett, The Outlook at The Duncan Center
Christina Lessard, Lessard Builders
Stephanie Preece, George & Lynch
(and me!) Catrina Sharp, Lessard Builders

November 5, 2014 by scstarter

In early 2014, Gals That Give held an event for Cancer Support Community Delaware. It was an amazing event and there was not a dry eye in the room during their education presentation, a testimony from cancer survivor, Ray Failing.

The Gals That Give event for Cancer Support Community and the October event for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition were both very eye opening because out of 150 to 230 women, almost everyone in the room acknowledged that they have been affected by cancer in their lives.

We’re big fans of the Cancer Support Community and what they do so naturally, we were more than happy to be contenders as guest bartenders at their “Give Cancer The Boot” Guest Bartender Showdown event. Christina Lessard, Kim Willson, Stephanie Preece, Erin Barrett and I will be serving a #DoGood cocktail competing against The Friends of Cancer Support Community Team serving the “Good JuJu Cocktail”.

A Family Friendly Event! In addition to delicious drinks, fun company and a good cause there will be line dancing lessons, music and ten percent of the food sales will go directly to Cancer Support Community. We’re hoping for a great event and we’d love for you to join us! The event starts at 6:00 pm and will be held at Cowboy Up Saloon, 1036 Lafferty Lane in Dover, Delaware.

Cancer Support Community Delaware Mission

To ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. http://www.wellnessdelaware.org/

Gals That Give Mission
Gals that Gives’ mission is to cultivate local community non-profit organizations by connecting them with a larger network so they can continue to make an impact where we live and breathe every day. There are five founders that lead the organization:

Kim Willson, Ruggerio & Willson

Erin Barrett, The Outlook at The Duncan Center

Christina Lessard, Lessard Builders

Stephanie Preece, George & Lynch

(and me!) Catrina Sharp, Lessard Builders

November 5, 2014 by scstarter

Whew! What an uplifting Gals That Give year! I’m not sure that any of us predicted that we would be able to pack a room of 240 attendees and raise over $40,386 in eleven events. The past year has been quite the whirlwind with the rapid growth of Gals That Give and we are so excited to celebrate our one year birthday on November 20th as a fundraiser for the City of Dover Fraternal Order of The Police. We’re planning for an extraordinary first birthday event therefore we decided that just this month we’re inviting the guys to join in on the fun. We are expecting a larger than usual turnout this month so we will be limiting the amount of tickets available and they must be purchased online by November 17th.

Join us for a fun #dogood night sponsored by Lessard Builders!
The event will follow the typical format which includes a three course dinner with appetizers and dessert prepared by Outlook Events at The Duncan Center. There will be a Chinese or “pick a prize” style auction and a 50/50. Our friends at the Painted Stave Distillery will be providing tastings and local musician Emily Moses will be rockin’ out our favorite hits. Dinner is typically served around 6:40 pm but can vary depending on the events of the evening.

Gals (& Guys) That Give Ticket Options:

$25 ticket includes admission & dinner
$35 ticket includes Dinner ticket + (1) bottle of wine (you choose red or white)

(New!) Must Pay Online Prior To The Event
This is a necessary change this month due to the size of the event. Limited seating will be available so please, please, please mark your calendars and RSVP early via Eventbrite! We would love for everyone to join us but space will be limited so do not wait until the last minute!

(New!) #Gals4Charity Social Media Photo Contest
We LOVED looking through the pictures for the #gals4charity picture contest at the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition last month. We will be doing this again – so get creative and tag your event photos with #Gals4Charity on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. The winner will win a prize after dinner.

(New!) Auction Tickets: We added another level!

The Gals That Give community is so lucky to have the support of local businesses and individuals that donate items to our “pick a prize” or “chinese” style auction every month. For the month of November, the list has been pretty extensive with higher priced items such as Philadelphia Flyers tickets, Baltimore Ravens tickets, a low digit auto tag, a capital tour with lunch in the exclusive members only U.S. Senate room, an Apple iPad and other items at a similar price point so we have decided to add another level of auction tickets that allows you to purchase 150 tickets for $100. All proceeds from the auction ticket sales go towards the Dover Fraternal Order of The Police.

Attendees can purchase auction tickets at the event for the following levels:

(New!) Super Sponsor of the Month:
The recently launched sponsorship gives businesses the opportunity to be in front of the Gals That Give community and attendees before, during and after the actual event via social media and signage.

The 2015 Schedule To Be Announced at November Event
The 2015 events calendar and assigned non-profits will be announced at the November 20th Anniversary Party. At this time, businesses can also request months that they would like to be a Super Sponsor. For non-profits interested in applying, you must be a 501c3 and if you’d like to be considered for 2016, please submit your application prior to June 1st, 2015. Email [email protected] for an application or Super Sponsor information.

First Friday Dover
As a reminder, the downtown merchants get together every first Friday of the month to throw fun events similar to a block party with music, refreshments, activities and sales. All proceeds go towards the corresponding Gals That Give Charity of the Month. The checks are presented the charity at each Gals That Give event.

The Education Piece
In one year, we have learned about eleven additional non-profits and resources that support the area where we live. Prior to dinner the non-profit takes a few minutes to present to to the audience through testimonials, experiences and statistics. I feel that this is the most inspirational part of what we do with Gals That Give. Everyone has faced struggles in their lifetime. When someone stands up to share their story with us you can feel the energy in the room pull together as a support system. The sense of community is so powerful it gives me goosebumps every time I think about it.

About the Dover Fraternal Order of Police:
The mission of the Dover Fraternal Order of Police is to assist a fellow members in need and protect and serve their community and the citizens who represent it.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers and has become the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. The F.O.P. is dedicated to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. Lodge #15 represents the Officers of the City of Dover Police Department.

In fact, there is more you can do if you wish to support some interesting social projects. Check out MAKEITHAPPEN.ORG.AU for details.

Heroes and Helpers
Outside of their daily routine the police officers of the Dover F.O.P. give back to the community by organizing fundraising events and participating in various programs such as the Special Olympics, Toys for Tots and Dover Night Out. During the holiday season they continue to work with organizations like Heroes and Helpers to raise funds so they can brighten the holiday for families who need it most by taking a group of children in need shopping at Target for the holiday.

About the Gals That Give Charity
Gals that Gives’ mission is to cultivate local community non-profit organizations by connecting them with a larger network so they can continue to make an impact where we live and breathe every day.

There are five founders that lead the organization:
Kim Willson, Ruggerio Willson & Associates
Erin Barrett, The Outlook at The Duncan Center
Christina Lessard, Lessard Builders
Stephanie Preece, George & Lynch
(and me!) Catrina Sharp, Lessard Builders

Event Details:
The Outlook at The Duncan Center in Dover, Delaware
Thursday, November 20th
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
We can be reached via email at [email protected], on Facebook or by phone (302) 698-1091

October 28, 2014 by scstarter

Over the past few years, we’ve hosted a fun casino night for Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity called Blackjack to Build. This year, the event will be held Saturday, November 1st at the Lessard Residence in Dover, Delaware from 6 pm to 10 pm. We’re so excited for this year’s event – should be a ton of fun with twelve Blackjack tables and we hope you’ll join us. There will be beer, wine, food and a Chinese “pick a prize” style auction.

Tickets are $50/per person. It includes $300 of “funny money” to play and prizes for the top 5 winners. You can purchase tickets at the door or prior to the event online.

Check out this video from last year’s BlackJack to Build Delaware Charity Benefit!

Sponsors for the 2014 BlackJack to Build event include:
Fordham Dominion Brewery of Dover, Delaware
Dover Rent All Tents & Events of Dover, Delaware
Schwartz & Schwartz Attorneys of Dover, Delaware
R & R Commercial Realty
Del One Federal Credit Union
Shone Lumber
Simonton Windows
The Bug Guy!
Sam Yoder & Sons
Torbert Funeral Chapels
Wyoming Mill Work
Wolf Creek Surgeons
Bonnie Benson Attorney
Lansing Building Products
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Carole Kisner, Realtor

Silent Auction Sponsors Include: The Outlook at The Duncan Center, Acorn Books, Brunswick Bowl, Captains Lady Charters, Carmike Cinemas, Club Fitness, Cool Springs Fish Bar and Restaurant, Dover Symphony Orchestra, Delmarva Shorebirds, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover Liquor Warehouse, Fifer Orchards, Harris Business School, Holiday Inn Dover Downtown, Jiffy Lube, Levy Court Commissioner Allan Angel, Liquor Depot, Maple Dale Country Club, Mark Reeve, Merry Maids, Outerwall, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Procter & Gamble, Restaurant 55, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Roma Italian Restaurant, Shawnee Ski area, Shooters Choice, Texas Road House, Townsend Brothers Chevrolet, United States Senator Chris Coons, Washington Nationals, Wild Quail Golf and Country Club, Women’s Journal, and YMCA Dover

We hope to see you at the next Blackjack to Build Delaware Charity Benefit hosted by Lessard Builders!

September 4, 2014 by scstarter

If you were one of the hundreds of people that attended R2Hop2 this spring, you’ll understand my excitement for the upcoming event, Hogfest’14 at Fordham Brewery in Dover, Delaware. I love a day that lets you sit back, relax, enjoy the weather, eat when you’re hungry, listen to live music and enjoy your favorite beverage.

Fordham Brewery Music Festival R2Hop2 — **R2Hop2 2014** *Photo credit: R2Hop2 Facebook*

The Ultimate Sunday Funday: Football, Fordham Beer & Food Hogfest ’14 has been set up for the ultimate Sunday Funday complete with Football games on big screen TVs, craft beer from Fordham, wine, local food vendors, a wing competition, a pig roast, games and a great lineup of live music. Sign up here but keep reading for all the extra fun details! Bring The Family If you’re looking for an event to bring the whole family, the ladies can relax and take a break from the cheering and banter of the football games at the ladies’ tent hosted by Beehive Beauty Shop. The kids (free for 12 & under) can have their face painted and burn energy in the bounce house or playing yard games. From noon to 7pm there will be plenty of fun for everyone that wants to tag along with the Football enthusiasts. Live Music Featuring Local Artists: Emily Moses

Fordham Brewery Music Delaware — **Local Artist, Emily Moses** *Photo Credit: Emily Moses Facebook*

Jim Rezac

Kill Bad Radio

Joey Fulkerson

Fordham Brewery Music R2Hop2 — **Joey Fulkerson** *Photo Credit: CoveredBridgeMusic.com*

Local Wine & Spirits In addition to local craft beer from Fordham and Dominion Brewing, Harvest Ridge Winery from Marydel will be present for the wine lovers and Painted Stave Distillery will be there with spirits locally made in Smyrna, Delaware. Which restaurant as THE “Awesome Sauce”? Which wing sauce is the best? You be the judge! Try wings from the following restaurants to cast your vote on who truly has the awesome (wing) sauce! Who do you think will win in this group of contestants? Bethany Blues from Bethany, Delaware Kick n’ Chicken Peppers.com from Lewes, Delaware The Starboard from Dewey Beach, Delaware Woody’s from Dewey Beach, Delaware Cowboy Up from Dover, Delaware Touchdown Restaurant from Dover, Delaware Greene Turtle from Dover, Delaware Port Restaurant from Dewey Beach, Delaware Delicious Local Food In addition to a succulent pig roast you’ll be able to enjoy food from the wing vendors, scrapple dishes from Kirby & Halloway, ice cream from Tres Sorelle Dolce and a variety from Abbott’s Grill. I LOVE it when Abbott’s is a vendor at an event like this – every dish they offer is pretty much amazing and if you need a little more convincing just look at this chicken that I had at the Fifer’s Peach Festival. I also had a burger at R2Hop2 that was so good!

Fordham Brewery Abbott's Grill — Abbott’s Grill Chicken at Fifer’s Peach Festival

Are You Ready For Some Football? Trust me, this set up will be better than your living room. With beer and food at your disposal, live Football games will be playing on three big screen televisions. You won’t have to worry about anything else except cheering for your team and where you placed your square. I’m not certain which games will be playing at the event but I can tell you who is scheduled from the NFL website.

1:00 PM Games Dolphins vs. Bills Saints vs. Browns Lions vs. Panthers Falcons vs. Bengals Cowboys vs. Titans Jaguars vs. Redskins Patriots vs. Vikings Cardinals vs. Giants 4:05 PM Games Seahawks vs. Chargers Rams vs. Buccaneers 4:25 PM Games Chiefs vs. Broncos Jets vs. Packers Texans vs. Raiders 8:30 PM Games Bears vs. 49ers VIP Tickets: Unlimited Pints & Pig If you’re a die-hard football, craft beer and pig roast fan, you’ll want to check out the VIP tickets. Looks like there are a limited amount and there is a VIP tent so you can avoid long lines and missing the next play. Additional ticket options include General, Designated Driver, Kids & Under 21. You’re Giving Back Too! Did I mention that you’re doing all this fun stuff and still giving back to the community? All proceeds go to Next Generation South. Next Gen South is dedicated to helping young families, programs that increase access to child mental health services including but not limited to victims of abuse, suicide prevention, anti-bullying efforts and to combat teen dating violence. We’ll be there enjoying the end of summer/almost fall weather as a sponsor. Hope to see you there!

August 27, 2014 by scstarter

Raise your hand if you’ve joined the ALS charity ice bucket challenge?!

One of the greatest aspects of working with Gals That Give Charity is that you to consistently learn about charities and organizations dedicated to supporting our neighbors when they need it most. We hope to create awareness of these charities and in turn, build a stronger community. If you have been watching the news or browsing social media in the past few weeks, you are familiar with the viral charity ice bucket challenge. Proven to be successful in just a few weeks, the general public is much more aware of the ALS disease, patients are enjoying watching the challenges and the growing efforts have raised over 88.5 million dollars nationwide and over 238,000 dollars in our local chapter.

It is never too late to donate! The ladies of Gals That Give Charity were nominated individually so we decided to do the challenge and donate to the ALS Association together. We had fun dumping ice water on the next gal’s head but the ultimate goal is to help spread awareness and raise funds for our local ALS Association Chapter. In this post you’ll find our Gals That Give Charity Ice Bucket Challenge video, contact information for the local chapter and upcoming events that benefit ALS. I’d also like to introduce you to an inspiring young lady from Delaware that is going the extra mile to defeat ALS in Rehoboth, Delaware next month.

Kayla Wilson ALS Advocate Delaware — Kayla Wilson, Advocate for ALS in Delaware (Photo credit: ALS website)

Meet Kayla Wilson Kayla Wilson is an 11 year old ALS advocate from Clayton, Delaware. She first found out about ALS when she learned about the baseball player, Lou Gehgrig in a book at school. Impacted by the story of Lou Gehgrig’s fight against this life threatening disease, she made a point to keep researching ALS to learn more about it. It was just shortly after that Kayla’s parents told her that her Aunt Pam was in fact struggling with ALS. Moved by this news, Kayla searched for ways to help and joined the Rehoboth Beach Walk to Defeat ALS. She set a goal to be the Top Youth Fundraiser and raised just over $1,100 by going door to door, talking with friends, coaches, parents and anyone she could educate about the cause. Kayla became involved with the local ALS advocates to meet with Delaware State Representatives to discuss funding for ALS patient services. The day that Kayla visited the State House she wore her Walk to Defeat ALS shirt proudly and received a standing ovation after sharing her account of her Aunt Pam’s struggle with ALS. This year’s walk is September 13th and it will be Kayla’s first walk without her Aunt Pam. She has continued her efforts to raise awareness and funds for ALS research by hosting an event at her local nutrition store and raising her goal to $7,000. I truly admire Kayla for her compassion and dedication so I will be donating to ALS through her team to show support and cheer on her efforts to help raise awareness for ALS research year round in our area. If there is still time to donate to Kayla’s efforts, I hope you’ll consider it too!

Delaware Charity Ice Bucket Challenge — Kayla is so close to reaching her goal!

Gals That Give Charity accepted the ALS Charity Ice Bucket Challenge!

We happily pass the charity ice bucket challenge to the following Delaware non-profits & one super supporter! If you aren’t familiar with the charities listed below, feel free to click their name to learn more about what they do for our state. – Purrfect Haven Cat Rescue, past beneficiary – Cancer Support Community Delaware, past beneficiary – Beehive Beauty Shop, first official event sponsor – Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, our September beneficiary! – 3B: Brae’s Brown Bags, a young Delawarean making a difference in our state! Rehoboth Beach Walk to Defeat ALS® Saturday, September 13, 2014 Location: The Boardwalk at “The Bandstand”, Rehoboth, Delaware Registration: 8:00 am, Walk Starts 9:30 am ALS Contact Information for Delaware: ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia Serves Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. Chapter Contact: Ashley Hendrix, Email: Ashley (@) alsphiladelphia (.) org Phone: (215) 643-5434 Address: The ALS Association, 321 Norristown Rd. Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) From the ALS Association website.

Just what is ALS? Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease, first described in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the last decade has brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the disease that provides hope for the future. Lou Gehrig first brought national and international attention to the disease in 1939 when he abruptly retired from baseball after being diagnosed with ALS. Most commonly, the disease strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord. A common first symptom is a painless weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg, which occurs in more than half of all cases. Other early symptoms include speech, swallowing or walking difficulty. A smaller percentage of people with ALS may also experience symptoms resulting from degeneration in parts of the brain which control thinking, behavior, and language skills. Read more about ALS here.

Did you participate in the charity ice bucket challenge? What did you learn from your experience?

August 25, 2014 by scstarter

Fifer Orchards in Wyoming, Delaware has to be one of the best places where childhood memories and family traditions are made in our little state.

Family owned and operated since 1919

What’s not to love about Fifer Orchards Family Fun festivals with live music, pick your own fruit, hayrides, petting zoos, hand dipped ice cream, pick your pumpkin, choose your fresh cut Christmas tree, freshly baked apple cider donuts, corn mazes, s’mores by the fire and homemade apple cider? Whether it is a larger featured festival or just a fun, U-Pick strawberries weekend there is always a reason to get out of the house, save the television shows for later and enjoy the sunshine at Fifer’s farm.

strawberry picking at fifer orchards delaware — **You Pick Strawberries!** *Photo credit: Fifer Orchards*

U Pick Blueberry Season Photo Credit: Fifer Orchards — **You Pick Blueberry Season** *Photo Credit: Fifer Orchards*

Pick Your Pumpkins! Photo Credit: Fifer Orchards — **Pick Your Pumpkins!** *Photo Credit: Fifer Orchards*

From April to December, Fifer’s hosts a variety of events geared toward the current growing season. August is national peach month and I could not miss the popular Camden-Wyoming Peach Festival with peach ice cream day at Fifer Orchards. Every year the famous peach festival gets better and better!

Fifer Orchards Delaware Peach Festival — Just peachy!

A little bit of peach history. Delaware was the place to be for peaches in the 1800 and early 1900s. Spain first introduced them to our state in the 1800s and the crop flourished in Delaware’s fertile environment dubbing us the “Peach State”. In 1919 Charles Frederick Fifer moved to Delaware from the Shenandoah Valley in nearby Virginia. He started with 300 acres of land and a vision of growing high quality produce, crop diversification and farmland stewardship. Ninety five years later, his third and fourth generation family members are dedicated to growing and selling high quality produce while preserving the environment, serving the community and maintaining family values.

As the “Peach Blossom” state, you can find many peach festivals in our small towns during the month of August but Fifer’s is the first weekend and always well attended. I attribute the popularity to Fifer’s Peach Ice Cream Day!

They have various activities including live music, food vendors, games for the kids, train rides a petting zoo and free peach ice cream! The foodie in me was very impressed by the food selection, everything was well thought out and usually had a peach flair to it. My personal favorites were Nage Restaurant, Abbott’s Grill and Frankfurt Bakery.

Fun at Fifers Peach Festival — Climbing wall, inflatables and games for all

Chance of rain was no match for this crowd!

Live Music at Fifer Orchards — Live music! I even heard some of my favorite songs!

Frankfurt Bakery at Fifer Orchards — Frankfurt Bakery – they had peach cupcakes! So good!

Nage at Fifer Orchards Peach Festival — Peach Cobbler and Crab Cake from Nage = A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Don’t miss a Nage Restaurant & Fifer Orchard event on September 12th! See below for event details.

Peach Ice Cream at Fifer Orchards — Fifers Peach Ice Cream! A Delaware Favorite.

We took a tractor tour of the Fifer farm!

We learned about the new tomato tunnels! — We learned about each crop & the new tomato tunnels!

Peaches at Fifer Orchard Delaware — Getting expert peach advice!

What is a farm festival without a corn or peach costume? Too cute!

Fifer Orchard Express Train for Kids — All smiles on the Fifer Express!

Grilled Peach Chicken from Abbotts Grill in Milford. Yum!

While August is a great month for celebrating peaches, it is also a great reminder that my favorite season, fall is just around the corner! That means apple cider donuts, hot apple cider, pumpkin spice everything, delicious farm to table foodie events and s’mores! Fifer Orchards is a great place to visit with your loved ones to make great memories and support a local family owned and operated farm.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events at Fifer Orchards:

– September 12th: Dinner on the Farm with Nage Restaurant, local beer tastings, local music, local wine tastings & 3 course localvore dinner!

– September 15th to November 1st: Fall Fest at Fifer Orchards! Corn Maze, hayrides, you pick pumpkins, you pick apples, apple cider donuts, pony rides, farm tours & much more !

– October 25th: Harvest Hustle 5K, proceeds benefit The American Cancer Society in Memory of Pat Vincent.

– November 29th – December 13th: Fifers Cider Fest Enjoy hot apple cider, holiday hayrides, s’mores by the fire, fresh cut locally grown Christmas trees, fresh locally made wreaths, handcrafted gift baskets and more.

– May: Annual Strawberry Festival

– June: Annual Blueberry Festival

– August: Annual Peach Festival

Connect with Fifer Orchards on Facebook, Twitter (@fiferorchards), Google Plus, YouTube or sign up for their newsletter.

Locations in Kent and Sussex County:

Farm & Country Store 1919 Allabands Mill Road Camden – Wyoming, DE 19934

Phone: 302-697-2141

Open: Monday – Saturday 8:00am – 6:00pm, Closed Sundays

Fifer’s Farm Market Cafe 200 Cullen Street Dewey Beach, DE 19971

Phone: 302-227-8680

Open: Monday – Saturday Call for hours, Closed Sundays

Fifers Farm Market Cafe in Dewey Beacb — Fifers Farm Market Cafe. They have coffee too!

Before you go – 3 More Things About Fifer Orchards:

1. Fifer’s participates in Delaware’s Farm to School Program to give students healthier choices at lunchtime.

2. In addition to local produce they offer local grass fed beef, free range eggs, local ground turkey, glass bottled local milk, homemade peanut butter, homemade almond butter & apple butter!

3. They have an amazing CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program that everyone raves about. Just take a look at one of the weeks below and find out more about it on their website.

Peach Festival — Making peachy memories at Fifer Orchards!

What are some of your favorite Fifer memories? If you haven’t had the Fifer’s Farm experience yet, I hope this post helps you get there!

Do you have a favorite Fifer Orchards Family Fun festival?! Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

Testimonials

Tom and Gloria Douglas

Ocean View, Delaware

John and Denise Johnson

Lewes, Delaware

Sara and Jo King

Lewes, Delaware

Phone

Office Address

Lewes Office