Dr. Ben Carson speaks, presents awards at Cornerstone Family event
The inaugural Cornerstone Family event, held July 18 in Seaford, recognized several local families for their significant contributions to the community. The program was organized by John Hollis, Linda Hollis and Wendy M. Gutkin, longtime community leaders.
John Hollis led off the ceremony and said, "Of the 20+ events Dr. Carson has done in the area, this is one of the most important, because it launches a campaign to restore and strengthen family values on Delmarva."
Dr. Ben Carson, whose latest book, “The Perilous Fight,” focuses on strengthening families, was the keynote speaker. He has taken great interest in Delmarva through his friendship with the Hollis family and his support of the Minority Engineering Regional Incentive Training program, aka MERIT, and the Boys & Girls Club.
In 2021, Carson founded the American Cornerstone Institute, with a mission to promote community bonds on the cornerstones of faith, liberty, community and life to secure generational freedoms. Carson also led a discussion panel that included Seaford Mayor Matt MacCoy, H.G. Wilson, Earl Wilson and Jason James.
Carson said, “We have a responsibility to protect the children, to stand up for them, to fight for their rights. I am very optimistic about our future.” He spoke of the freedoms afforded in the United States, and said the American dream is something that is earned, not handed out freely. He encouraged the audience to take control of their future through hard work and “being neighbors with each other, extending a helping hand and a hand up, rather than a handout.”
Carson said when he met with parents, he encouraged them to wean their children off television and electronics, and instead to spend quality time reading and talking, going outside and exploring. He noted that television is not a babysitter and said families must teach important values to their children.
During the Portraits of Strength: Families Living the Fight segment, Carson handed out ACI/MERIT certificates to each of the Cornerstone Families honored, including: the Jeff and Ronda Banning family, Charles Burton family, Bob Carey family, Buzz and Cindy Christensen family, Brian and Shorel Clarke family, Beth Conaway family, Dale and Dottie Dukes family, Bernice Edwards family, Dan and Karen Henderson family, Rob Herrera family, Skip and Yolanda Hutson family, Jason and Pamela James family, Jonathan and Marian Kellam family, Jim and Carol Lay family, Matt and Sarah MacCoy family, Shane and Cassidy Marvel family, Terry and Vanessa Megee family, Sen. Bryant and Carol Richardson family, Bill and Julie Sammons family, Richard and Sharon Simons family, and the David Sr., Earl and H.G. Wilson families.
Gutkin presented a segment titled "Guided Reflection: One Step Today.” Upon arrival, each family was given an envelope containing a unique Fight for Family challenge, a small but intentional step to strengthen the bonds in their households. She encouraged attendees to stand strong in their faith, connect on a deeper level, create traditions, serve the community together, and be intentional about their relationships with each other and their friends.
The Delmarva Cornerstone Family initiative will expand to 50 families, reaching out through regular programs and community work. Carson plans to return with other speakers, saying, “The 50 Cornerstone Family initiative will have unbeatable strength of family to help the community and families overcome obstacles.” The evening concluded with prayer, music and book signings by Carson.
