Delaware State Foundation honors Blake, Kammerer
Delaware State University Foundation presented its first Felmon D. Motley Community Service awards to two people very familiar in Sussex County: Fay Blake of Pathways to Success and Scott Kammerer of SoDel Concepts.
Kammerer was honored for SoDel Cares’ work on behalf of Meals on Wheels. The company has donated more than 97,000 meals per year for Meals on Wheels, in addition to donating more than $1 million in scholarships to students in Sussex County.
Kammerer spoke of SoDel’s partnerships with Delaware State University, saying it’s an honor to sponsor some of the sports teams, hire interns and work with local organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Pathways to Success.
“Pathways, Delaware State University and Meals on Wheels are all stars, and it's our honor to stand behind those rising stars,” he said.
Blake, the executive director of Pathways to Success, spoke of how she met Kammerer through the founder of SoDel Concepts, the late Matt Haley. Blake said Haley was there to support Pathways right away, and Kammerer has continued to support the organization, which helps prepare students for college and the professional world.
Blake said Pathways is about to start its 20th year, a long way from the organization’s humble origins when Blake left her job in banking to found the nonprofit. She said starting Pathways was something she felt called to do.
“When you stand in your purpose and you know without a shadow of a doubt that what you are doing and the path you are taking and the steps you are taking is the right path and the right way because you are going to bring a whole lot of people along with you,” Blake said. “It has been my honor and my pleasure.”
Other speakers at the event included Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University; Enid Wallace-Haley, president of the Delaware State University Foundation; Yaridel Camacho, a student at Delaware State and past member of Pathways to Success; and, via a short video message, Delaware State football coach and former Philadelphia Eagles player DeSean Jackson.
The Felmon Motley Award is named after Delaware State alumnus Felmon Motley, who coined the university motto: “May all who enter here, enter to learn and go forth and serve.”
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
