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Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware holds Masquerade Ball in Dewey

Meoli garners Great Futures Award
Michael Meoli sits with his family and listens to the introduction by his friend Tom Protack. Meoli was presented with the 2023 Great Futures Award. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 9, 2023

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware held its annual Masquerade Ball, Unmask a Child’s Future, at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach March 4.

More than 200 attendees enjoyed dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware in Sussex County to enhance existing education programs and provide scholarships to youth.

Michael Meoli was presented with the 2023 Great Futures Award.

Meoli was recognized for his dedication to help strengthen area communities, for his commitment toward children and families, and for making a positive impact on the lives of youth in Delaware. Meoli is the owner/operator of 25 McDonald’s restaurants across the peninsula. He believes in supporting the communities in which his restaurants operate, where his employees work and live, making a tremendous impact through his philanthropy.

“The Great Futures Award recipient Michael Meoli mirrors our vision and pursuit of empowering children and youth by providing life-enhancing experiences in order to build a foundation that sustains them for a lifetime,” said Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO John S. Wellons.

Sussex County Boys & Girls Clubs, including Rehoboth Beach, Oak Orchard, Georgetown, Dagsboro, Laurel and Seaford, serve more than 3,000 children, teens and families each year.

 

Enjoying the Masquerade Ball are (l-r) Justin Brown, Andrew Wills, Bruce Rohr and Tom Protack.
Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO John S. Wellons, right, poses with Michael and Kelli Meoli.
Posing for a picture are (l-r) Lee Sproull, Liz Hudson and Gerry Desmond.
Enjoying the happy hour are (l-r) Boys & Girls Clubs Area Director Chris Couch, his wife Annette and Boys & Girls Clubs Oak Orchard Director Erica Kennedy.
Attending the event are (l-r) Adam and Leks Howard, and Jaimie and Scott Donaway.
Enjoying the happy hour are (l-r) Dickie Bryan, Marcy Saliba and Lewes Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba.
Wearing their unique masks are Yarnell Russell, left, and Lisa Truitt.
Marcus Prattis, left, attends the event with Western Sussex-Seaford Youth of the Year Ty Bell.
Ty Bell, Boys & Girls Clubs Western Sussex-Seaford Youth of the Year, reads a manuscript she wrote about her personal experiences.
WRDE Coast TV anchor Charlie Sokaitis, right, served as emcee for the event. He attended with his wife Leah.
Having a libation at happy hour are (l-r) Ava Cannon, and Cassidy and Sean Flanigan.
Donning their masks are (l-r) Diane and Bob Ternahan and Allison Alison.
Brandy Lloyd shows off her gold mask.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, left, Michael Meoli and Kelly Pettyjohn enjoy a moment at happy hour.
Sharing a moment at happy hour are (l-r) Robin Roberts, Joey Masiello and Hillary Summerbell.
Having a good time at the happy hour are Geoff and Marissa Lerer.
WRDE Coast TV anchor Charlie Sokaitis acts as emcee for the event.
Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO John S. Wellons speaks of the great things being done by the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Tom Protack, president of Beebe Medical Foundation, introduces Michael Meoli to receive the Great Futures Award.
Michael Meoli accepts the Great Futures Award.
Shaun Tull bids to sponsor a child at the Boys & Girls Camp.
Kristen & the Noise keeps the party going after the presentations.
The attendees dance the night away to Kristen & the Noise.
Sold at the live auction for $3,000 was the low tag C1568.
Michael Meoli, left, receives the Great Futures Award from Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO John S. Wellons.
Boys & Girls Clubs President and CEO John S. Wellons congratulates Millie Charniclk on her winning bid of the C1568 plate. Charnick is the vice president of the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club.
Friends enjoying happy hour are (l-r) Liz Zehner, Laura St. Martin and Rose Furio.
Michael Meoli and Kelli Meoli bookend their daughters Lauren, left, and Rachel during the happy hour.
Styling at the happy hour are (l-r) Erica Tull, Megan Milak and Hadley Rhue.
Masquarade Ball committee member Zaida Guajardo, left, and her friend Vernita Dorsey enjoy the happy hour.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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