SoDel Fest raises $130,000 for Delaware nonprofits
The Fifth Annual Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival, held Sept. 28 at the Independence clubhouse in Millsboro, raised $32,000 for two Delaware-based nonprofits, the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, and Children & Families First. To date, the festival has raised more than $130,000 for Sussex County nonprofits.
“We are happy to support worthwhile organizations that help those in need in our communities,” said Stacy LaMotta, executive director of Creative Coastal Connections Corp and the festival’s founder-organizer. “We’re equally happy to offer residents and tourists a fun Saturday in September so they can discover new wines and enjoy over 20 local restaurants’ food all while making a difference in our community.”
More than 650 people attended this year’s event. “It takes a village to create such an ongoing successful festival,” LaMotta said. “The effort involves volunteers, restaurateurs, chefs, distributors, wineries, musicians, sommeliers, business sponsors and a dedicated committee.”
The Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children was established to honor Beau Biden, Delaware’s 44th attorney general. Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, made protecting children a pillar of his work in public life.
The foundation’s focus on prevention education brings programming to adults so they can recognize the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse and react responsibly. The organization also teaches children about good digital citizenship, internet safety and bullying, and it helps youth-serving organizations assess and improve child protection policies, procedures and programming.
Funds from the festival will help further the Shield of Protection Initiative. “The real beneficiaries are schools, youth-serving organizations, police, nurses and the general public in Sussex County,” said Executive Director Patty Daley-Lewis. “Our goal is to stop the abuse.”
For 135 years, Children & Families First of Delaware has provided free and immediate access to programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. In addition to intervening, these resources help heal those who have been impacted.
“Abuse and neglect cause trauma that negatively impacts a child’s immediate and lifelong well-being,” said Laura Rimmer, CFFDE development coordinator. “Funds from the SoDel Fest ensure that evidence-based programs and services are available to support and help Sussex County’s most vulnerable children and families.”
To sponsor next year’s celebration, or become a volunteer or beneficiary, go to sodelfest.com or email Stacy LaMotta at stacylamotta77@gmail.com.
