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Meals on Wheels Beach Brunch fundraiser garners $40K

Meals on Wheels Executive Director Anne Love, left, and Nicole Bailey Ashton present an award to Meals on Wheels driver and Volunteer of the Year David Lewis. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
October 25, 2023

Fulton Bank presented the Meals on Wheels Beach Brunch, a fundraiser held Oct. 22 at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, where guests enjoyed a seated upscale brunch with wine pairings overlooking the beautiful Rehoboth Bay.

Before the brunch, guests mingled during a welcome reception featuring local chefs offering hors d’oeuvres and desserts plus wine, spirits, craft brews and specialty cocktails. They could also bid on live and silent auction items featuring unique Adirondack chairs from 302 Horseshoe Crab/KAM Productions, private dinner parties and exclusive trips.

The event is the biggest fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Delaware, and this year’s gathering raised more than $40,000 for the organization’s mission to end senior hunger. For more information, go to mealsonwheelsde.org.

Matt Rice and Katie Wilkinson of sponsor Fulton Bank show off some auction items up for bid at the event.
Gigi Mulrooney, left, and Emma Charlton of Tito’s Vodka serve up tasty libations.
Neko McDonald of Salt Air adds special sauce to the smoked pimento/gouda toast with tasso ham and hot honey.
Sposato Wines owner Tony Sposato, right, works the vino table with his son Freddie.
Debra Adelman looks over the silent auction items.
Lindsay Bower, left, and Courtney Davison work the Breakthru Beverage Group table of Ketel One Botanical Spritz.
Don and Monica Weber enjoy the mixer before brunch.
Paul Cullen entertains the crowd during the event.
Smiling for the camera are (l-r) Dr. Joydeep Haldar, Monica Mandujano and Dr. Maria Haldar.
Having a great time at the mixer are Jill Geyer, left, and Taylor Neeley.
Kimberly Welch, left, and Jane Martinko enjoy a libation at the bar.
Pausing for a picture are (l-r) John Reese, Bobby Belt, Nicole Belt and Angela Reese.
Mike and Sandi Walker smile for a picture at the mixer.
Having a great time at the mixer are Nicole Bailey Ashton, left, and Melissa Clampitt.
Chatting during the welcome reception are (l-r) April Armstrong, Nina Peery, Jennifer Antonelli, Michelle Bergold and Melissa Clampitt.
Getting together at the mixer are (l-r) Andy Staton, Mary Beth Hutton, Bobby Hutton, Patrick Saparito and Cheryl Crowe.
Working the Paul Cullen wine table are (l-r) Nina Peery, Jessica Gallentine and Mary Lemire.
Nicole Bailey Ashton tells guests how they can become Meals on Wheels volunteers.
Maria Fraser from The Café on 26 and Matt Rice from Fulton Bank explain the purpose of the brunch.
Offering tasty desserts from SoDel Concepts are Dru Tevis, left, and Chase Cline.
A family affair at the brunch are Mike, Megan and Kathy Kelly.
Sponsoring the event was Maria Fraser, owner of The Café on 26, shown with helper Susan Maddox, right.
Socializing during the event are (l-r) Hannah and Cody Bristow, and Matt Rice.
Honorary chairs for the event were Debbie Reed and Ashlee Reed Hidell. Shown in back are (l-r) Debbie Reed, Bob Reed and Ashlee Reed Hidell, with Margot Hidell in front.
Mingling during the pre-brunch reception are (l-r) Bernadette Hearn, Nancy Freebery and Rick Freebery, all of Rehoboth Beach.
Waiting for the brunch are Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaffer, left, Andy Staton and Kevin Daney.
Madeleine Overturf of Coast TV served as emcee for the Beach Brunch.
Katie Wilkinson of sponsor Fulton Bank addresses guests at the event.
Katie Wilkinson of Fulton Bank talks about the mission of Meals on Wheels Delaware.

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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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