Lewes honors students with Jefferson Awards
Lewes Mayor Ted Becker honored three projects April 10 as part of the Jefferson Awards LEAD360 Challenge.
Becker’s top pick was Project HOOP by Daeveon Deshields. Deshields created Project HOOP (Helping Out Other People) in 2015. His goal was to fill 1,000 gallon-sized ziplock bags with toothbrushes, hats, deodorant, flashlights and other personal care items to donate to the homeless. In 2016, Deshields exceeded his goal by filling 1,015 bags, which he donated to Faith United Methodist Church’s Open Hands Sound and Clothing Ministry. Deshields was able to accomplish his goal in part due to his classmates. He placed collection bins in his school and the middle school in his area. He also placed collection bins throughout Sussex County.
“LEAD360 is designed to seek outstanding youth ideas and replicate them nationwide,” said Sam Beard, founder and president emeritus of the Jefferson Awards. “For the past seven years, Delaware has been the nation’s leader in this program and has once again distinguished itself by the number of youth engaged, lives impacted and people activated.”
“The LEAD360 Challenge provides the youth of the Lewes community the opportunity and the challenge to have an impact on the area,” said Becker in a press release. “The awareness of the community that results from these projects promotes the development of leadership skills and self confidence for those involved while providing community residents with the awareness of the contributions that our youth can make. The net result is a stronger community spirit for all.”
Also recognized by Becker April 10 were Cape Henlopen High School’s Junior ROTC program and Green Club.
Twenty-five projects were submitted in Lewes this year with an estimated impact of 9,360 lives and a financial value of more than $130,000.
Lewes is one of seven municipalities that takes part in the LEAD360 program. Also participating are Dover, Georgetown, Milford, Newark, Seaford and Wilmington. In Delaware, 104 projects were submitted with more than 149,000 lives impacted and a financial impact of nearly $1 million.
The Jefferson Awards Foundation empowers others to have a maximum impact on the things they care about most. For more information about the Jefferson Awards, go to jeffersonawards.org.
