Winter WonderFest Giving Tree is opportunity for other nonprofits
"Everyone comes for the fun," says John Snow, president of Festival of Cheer, as he watches hundreds of enthusiastic adults and children stream into the packed and festive Christmas Village on a busy holiday weekend. "And that's exactly what we want.” Festival of Cheer is the nonprofit group of community and business leaders who are committed to building Winter WonderFest into an enduring family and community tradition for the holidays.
There's the Light Spectacular drive-thru holiday light show at Cape Henlopen State Park, now 30 percent bigger in only its second year. The high-energy Christmas Village provides towering carnival rides and midway games, an open fire pit, professional nightly music, and an enclosed community Lodge for warming up and hanging out. Jolly old St. Nick is there, along with Santa's Workshops for children. And there's the new jewel in Winter WonderFest's holiday crown - the giant open-air Visit Delaware Ice Rink offering skating sessions and lessons six days a week.
But thanks to the Festival of Cheer group, there's more to it than these crowd-pleasing festivities. At the heart of it all is fundraising. "Everything we do for Winter WonderFest is to enhance the experience of being here in Sussex County during the holidays," says Snow. “It's why the money we raise here, stays right here in Sussex County." In its first year alone, Winter WonderFest's fundraising created $100,000 in community grants shared with17 nonprofit organizations serving Sussex County.
Among the fundraising activities is the signature Winter WonderFest Giving Tree located at the Christmas Village. It’s sponsored by La Vida Hospitality Group with businesses throughout Sussex, and Managing Partner Josh Grapski says support of the Giving Tree aligns with his company's core values. "Sussex is our home, and home to so many of the guests who patronize La Vida's businesses," he says. "Since we began in 2005, it's always been our philosophy to share our success with our community.”
Grapski explains that the Giving Tree has great benefits. "This year, visitors can recognize the memory of their loved ones when they purchase a Giving Tree Luminaria. And it's also a way for us to help other local nonprofits." Grapski, who is also treasurer for Festival of Cheer, notes that participating nonprofits have an opportunity to share in the fundraising while increasing awareness to the public for their organization. "It's an opportunity for groups to promote their own mission through the exposure to hundreds of our festival-goers each night."
One such group is ProStart, a nationwide two-year restaurant management and culinary arts program offered in 18 Delaware high schools. The program, one of the 14 Pathways to Prosperity initiated by former Gov. Jack Markell, is taking advantage of the Giving Tree to also make it a fun, interactive experience for the young future chefs and their hospitality guests at the Christmas Village.
"This will be the second year that our ProStart program has been a beneficiary for Winter WonderFest," says Raelynn Grogan, director of education for the Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. "Mr. Grapski's group understands the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation. Be sure to pop in and check out what the ProStart Program is all about on Friday, Dec. 8. There will be a ProStart Cookie Decorating Booth set up where attendees can pay $5 to decorate a cookie or two baked by our talented ProStart students!"
Peter Briccotto, event director for Winter WonderFest, says there is great diversity among the organizations participating in this year's Giving Tree schedule.
• Dec. 8 - ProStart/Delaware Restaurant Education Association
• Dec. 9 - Relay for Life
• Dec. 10 - CAMP Rehoboth
• Dec. 15 - Children's Beach House
• Dec. 16 - Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
• Dec. 17 - Children's Beach House
• Dec. 22 - Ronald McDonald House
• Dec. 23 - Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company
• Dec. 26- 27 - To be announced
• Dec. 28-29 - Rehoboth/Lewes libraries
• Dec. 30-31 - Meals on Wheels
Winter WonderFest hours of operation and ticket information are online, along with details for those who want to volunteer for the event - wonderfestde.org. Winter WonderFest Box Office phone is 302-727-0221. Box office hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Proceeds support Winter WonderFest through the Festival of Cheer Community Grant Program. Grants awards are designated exclusively for Sussex County nonprofit groups.
