Atlantic Sands July 4 celebration benefits West Rehoboth program

The Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center presented the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program with a $4,500 check July 14.

The donation came from proceeds raised during the hotel's Up on the Roof July Fourth celebration, which ended with a beautiful view of the evening's fireworks.

About 20 children from the program were on hand at West Side New Beginnings in West Rehoboth for the presentation of the check.

“There's no words I can use to explain what this means,” said an emotional Brenda Milbourne, cofounder of the youth program. “This will mean a lot to the community.”

The program plans on using the money to buy a much-needed 12-passenger van to transport kids on special trips they hope to take. Right now, they use one six-passenger van, while on average, the program brings out more than 30 children.

“It makes me feel good we're going to get a bus,” said 9-year-old Jasmine Finney.

This marks the second year the hotel made a donation; last year's recipient was Clear Space Theatre.

“We've made a commitment at the Sands to help the community and the city,” says Atlantic Sands General Manager Michael Ludden.

Officials of the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center also provided lunch for the ceremony.