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Community fundraiser honors Ryan ‘Red’ Ennis

Hospitality worker, personal trainer, motivational speaker touched lives
Staff from The Station on Kings pose for a picture before the fundraising event Sept. 14 at Schellville. Shown in back are (l-r) Dakota Berry, Jillian Crone, Jocelyn McKeown, Helena Pappagianis, Ashley DiMichele, Leisa Berlin, Lo Tibbets and Dylan Scerri. In front are Yen Dean, Gustavo Hernandez, Brooke Taylor, Alex Mancini, Erin Eskin, George Parker, Sarah McKeown, Jenna Vining, Lily Dickinson, Edie Enriquez, Matt Yerkes, Gabriela Landos, Caleb Hall, Hailey Hall, Addisyn Tesch, Cadence Hedrick and Donna Parker. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
September 17, 2025

The community joined together Sept. 14 to honor and raise funds for the family of Ryan “Red” Ennis at Schellville near Rehoboth Beach. The event was sponsored by The Station on Kings. 

Ennis, who died in June after a four-year fight with cancer, was a devoted husband, father and a friend to many. His warmth and spirit touched countless lives, and the community came together give back to his wife and two young children.

Ennis’ passion for helping others led him to a career as a personal trainer at Rise and eventually as a life coach and motivational speaker—roles in which he inspired and motivated many. While working in the restaurant industry he created Beyond the Bar United to improve the quality of life for those who work in the restaurant industry, so that they may better the lives of everyone they come in contact with. One of his most notable accomplishments in 2022, receiving the Industry Impact Award.

In recent years, Ennis used his motivational skills and platform to leverage fundraising for charities such as the Food Bank of Delaware and Special Olympics, and families with children with special needs. In recognition of his selfless spirit, the State of Delaware designated his birthday as Random Act of Kindness Day, in his honor.

The Sept. 14 event was a celebration of community, family and the spirit Ennis carried with him. Guests enjoyed an afternoon filled with live gospel music by the East Coast Inspirational Singers, food and drinks from local restaurants, and family-friendly fun, including roller skating, bounce houses, slides, train rides, face painting and crafts.

All proceeds will directly benefit the Ennis children.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who was involved in this beautiful day that celebrated and supported Ryan and his young family,” said Leisa Berlin, owner of The Station on Kings. “What a great community. Our love came through loud and clear. Let’s keep it going and make every moment matter.”

To donate to the Ennis family, go to tinyurl.com/y3pmvj6x.

 

Ryan Ennis’s wife Brittany and children Colgan, 4, and Shane, 20 months, attend the event held in honor of their husband and father. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Ennis children.
Cape grads Conor Wiedmann, left, and Jackie Johnson entertain the crowd during the event.
Local Lily Dickinson purchases auction tickets from Donna Parker.
Selling raffle tickets at the event are (l-r) Hailey Hall, Cadence Hedrick and Addisyn Tesch.
Working The Starboard crush bar are Dylan Scerri, left, and Lindsay DiMuzio.
Having a great time on the skate rink are Avery Harp, 14, left, and Emma Reynolds, 14.
Lucy Roberts, 3, shows her balloon turtle bracelet made by Penny Carroll of Canvas on the Move kids’ entertainment.
Shucking and jiving at the food tent are Calab Hall, left, and Matt Yerkes.
Bidding with tickets at the auction are Gary Desch and his wife Roberta.
Maya Chrzaszcz, 5, is a future Dorothy Hamill.
Kevin Cunningham, owner of Delaware Chocolate Fountain Rentals, gives a thumbs up to the event.
Staff from the Station on Kings stand with a yummy food station. Shown are (l-r) Jenna Vining, Edie Enriquez, Yen Dean, Gabriela Landos and Erin Eskin. Other restaurants that offered food were Agave, Dan’s BBQ, Lewes Oyster House and Dewey Beer Company.
Evan Funk, 3 1/2, enjoys some cotton candy at the event.
Fern Kluchnik, 3, enjoys a cereal bar from the Delaware Chocolate Fountain display.
Ryan Ennis’ quotes are posted around Schellville for the event.
Ryan’s life principles are stationed around the venue.
Ryan’s legacy will not fade.
Beauty and relaxation items available in the raffle ticket auction.
Toys up for the right ticket in the bucket.
Leisa Berlin bids on toys in the ticket raffle.
An e-bike and e-scooters are the grand prize.
Wearing their Eagles swag are April and Eric Comley.
Chris Schell enjoys the food line at the event.
Trying to win the stuffed dinosaur are Grant Otto and Brooke Taylor.
Showing off their cute face paint are Myla, left, and Kade Lotka.
Wesley Thomas, 4, shows off his balloon kitty made by Penny Carroll from Canvas on the Move kids’ entertainment.
Auctioneer Dickie Bryan gets the bids for the live auction with his assistant Cate Carr.
Yen Dean celebrates her winning bid for the Greece trip during the live auction.
Leisa Berlin, owner of The Station on Kings, tells bidders about the amenities of the trips.
Lyn and Marvin Snyder placed the winning bid for the Mexico trip.
The East Coast Inspirational Singers entertain the crowd at the event.
Ryan’s high school friends from Saint Mark’s at the event are Andrew and Bryan Lindley.
Friends Dr. Steve Berlin, left, and John Mancuso have a great time at the event.
Ryan’s dad Chris reminds us all to Make Moments Matter.
Myla Lotka, 4, enjoys a cotton candy at the event.
Bambi Wilkinson Corea, 2, and her father Sean are ready for the NFL games with their Eagles and Dolphins wear.

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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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