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Children’s Beach House holds annual barbecue bash

Annual event raises more than $160,000
Bringing their Margaritaville-style vibes and happy dancing to the The Reel Ting Key West Steel Drum Band are (l-r) Jennifer Vershinski, Kathy Oberto and Robin Pugh. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
September 1, 2025

Children’s Beach House brought Margaritaville-style vibes to the Delaware coast with its annual Beach Barbecue fundraiser Aug. 23 on Lewes Beach. 

More than 400 people donned island wear, soaked up the island atmosphere and enjoyed a fun-filled evening with live music by The Reel Ting Key West Steel Drum Band, food made by Greater Good Events, and beer, wine and signature cocktails on the beach and on Children Beach House’s decks overlooking Delaware Bay.

Silent and live auctions raised more funds for CBH.

In all, the annual event raised more than $160,000 for CBH.

“At CBH, we often say you can’t have communication without connections,” said Executive Director Richard Garrett. “This is a statement that is true on many levels. If you looked around at the 2025 Children’s Beach House barbecue, you would see over 350 people who were here making a connection. And, most importantly, they were making a connection to supporting children, youth and families. This is an incredibly generous community, and all of us at Children’s Beach House are deeply grateful for the support of our friends, neighbors and donors.”

Children’s Beach House provides programs to children and families throughout area communities. The mission of Children’s Beach House is to improve the lives of children, youth, families and communities by helping them to identify, understand and utilize their own strengths, talents and resources.

For more information, go to cbhinc.org.

 

Working the Wish Wall are CBH staff members (l-r) Kenna Chanoux, Enrique Quijada and Barbi Tulowitzki-Hojnicki.
Event co-chairs are John and Meg Collins.
Director of Marketing Justin Nixon shares a moment with April Armstrong.
Children’s Beach House trustee Connie Miller displays her book “Sailors’ Valentines.”
Entertaining throughout the evening is The Reel Ting Key West Steel Drum Band.
Nicholas Caggiano Jr., right, and his wife, Andrea, enjoy the evening.
Event emcee Madeleine Overturf, left, gets into the Island spirit playing the steel drum with her friend Alexis Parsell.
Enjoying the evening on the CBH deck are Kristen Jones, left, and Robin Palumbo Thompson.
Attending and supporting the cause are Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, right, and her husband David White.
Chris Hughes, left, and Kent Swarts show off their inner Eric Clapton with the hand-painted ukuleles at the silent auction.
Posing for a photo are (l-r) Zaida Guajardo, John Laughlin and Meredith Thomas.
Girls weekend out friends enjoying the evening are (l-r) Susan Pascocello, Edna Morris, Laura Dietrick, Tracy Hancock, Deanna Taylor, Sharon Meyer, Colleen Connell, Kelly Clough, Kelly Kinser and Mary Jane Spagnolo.
Enjoying a summer breeze on the CBH deck are Rose Furio, left, and Patrick Beebe.
Getting ready for the rush of the attending crowd are Vice President of Finance Patrice Tosi, left, and Executive Director Richard Garrett.
Having a great time are Stephanie and Richard Soukup.
Posing on the upper deck are (l-r) Joshua Charles, Michael Holzer and Eddie Engles.
Meredith Thomas shows off her tropical swag.
Donna Shifflett, left, and Kay Young enjoy a libation on the CBH deck.
Hand-painted ukes and stools were available for the silent auction.
Hand-painted stools were available for the silent auction.
Handmade stools were available for the silent auction compliments from staff member Justin Nixon.
Children’s Beach House board member Mary Culley enjoys the evening with her husband Jim.
Children’s Beach House Executive Director Richard Garrett speaks to the need for funds to keep CBH fulfilling its mission.
Event emcee Madeleine Overturf speaks about the people and groups who have donated their time and money to the event.
Attendees enjoy happy hour in the upstairs room.
Barbara Shelton, left, photobombs the picture of Rose Furio.
Former Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer, right, and his wife, Ruby, attend the event.
CBH Chief Operating Officer Anthony Orman stands with the sponsor wall.
A giant sea turtle made by Connie Miller flies over the greeting area.
It’s a beautiful evening for the CBH barbecue.
Tom Protack acts as guest auctioneer.
Attendees enjoy happy hour in the upper room.
A member of The Reel Ting Key West Steel Drum Band played solo for the happy hour.
Representing the New Hope Canoe Club are (l-r) team member Tracy Hancock, head coach David Schofield and team member Christel Garrett.

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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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