Grain and Dogfish donate concert proceeds to Friends of CHSP

Grain and Dogfish Head recently donated $7,500 from the Rocking the Docks concerts held last summer and fall to the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park.

Friends President John Bracco said the donation was particularly helpful after most of the 2020 fundraising events were canceled due to COVID-19. 

The Friends operate the Borrow-A-Bike program out of a bike barn next to the Seaside Nature Center. They also provide funding for the park’s osprey cam, perform trail and beach cleanup, and maintain the playground and nature pond next to the Nature Center. The group also donates to the Thatcher Fund, which pays for buses to transport students to the Seaside Nature Center for field trips. 

Traditional fundraisers for the Friends include the Chocolate Tasting and Bake Sale; Wine, Beer & Cheese Tasting; Indoor Flea Market; and Christmas Boutique and Book Sale. 

Grain and Dogfish Head kicked off the Rocking the Docks concert series in July, working with the state to set up a COVID-safe environment. The green space next to Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal was full of 12-by-12-foot squares where parties of up to eight people could sit. The money raised through square reservations was donated to the Friends group. 

Grain owner Lee Mikles said he’s already working with the state to safely host 12 more concerts in 2021. Details will be released when everything is finalized, he said. 

Grain is also working with local artist Steven Alawishus to design a T-shirt that can be sold at Grain, with $1 from every shirt sale being donated to the Friends group. Alawishus’ task is to design a shirt that captures the characteristics of Cape Henlopen State Park that spark inspiration. 

To learn more about the Friends group, go to friendsofcapehenlopen.org.