Code Purple fundraiser a rockin’ good time

The Rehoboth Beach Convention Center came alive July 27, with rock from the ’60s and ’70s for Love Inc.’s Code Purple initiative.

The event featured four live musical acts, artists and vendors, a cash bar, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and food presented by What’s Cooking, Di?

The event helped to raise money for Code Purple Sussex County to fight homelessness.

“This is the second time this has been organized by Kim Witmer and her group of friends. Kim has a passion for giving back to the community, specifically those that are experiencing homelessness,” said Kathryn Alban, associate director of Love Inc. “We are a nonprofit organization that is located in Sussex County, and our goal is to help those in poverty and experiencing homelessness get a step up to transition into a home with [the help of] case managers, mentors, finance practice, personal development courses, you name it.”

Witmer said she was inspired to help about five years ago when Code Purple visited Epworth United Methodist Church to talk about the winter homeless program. 

“Afterward, I went up and talked to the person and said, ‘You have men’s shelters, [but] do you have any women’s shelters?’” she said. “He said, 'We’re working on it, but it’s a matter of finding heated buildings that will take them.' Not long after, Code Purple opened a women’s shelter. Well, I used to help my mom with fundraising for the homeless in Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware, so I met with them.”

She said they were expected to exceed the 620 tickets sold the first year.  All the proceeds, minus expenses, go to Love Inc.’s Code Purple.

“We couldn’t do this without the volunteers,” Witmer said. 

For more information, go to loveincofmiddelmarva.org/code-purple.