Great Futures Gala raises funds for Boys & Girls Club

Oak Orchard/Riverdale Club receives community support at fundraiser

By Dan Cook

dan@capegazette.com

The Great Futures Gala to raise funds for the Oak Orchard/ Riverdale Boys & Girls Club was held Sept. 17 at The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay. Proceeds from the event support the Great Futures Fund, a Sussex County-based organization dedicated to helping local kids in need.

The gala has taken place the past three years, led by volunteers including sisters Leanne Silicato Prosser and Nicole Silicato Miller, who founded the Great Futures Fund.

“This year’s gala drew over 250 local Sussex County residents and business owners to support the youth in the Millsboro area,” said Silicato Prosser, Great Futures Fund director. “The event, with a new casual and coastal vibe, was very well received by the community and saw the largest attendance of any of the galas to date. The Great Futures Fund steering committee is proud to announce that with all the community support, we are able to write a check for $100,000 this year. That will support daily operations of the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club through their annual fund and contribute to final costs associated with the building expansion that is currently under construction at their location in Long Neck. A special thank you to our presenting sponsors this year, Mountaire, Schell Family Foundation, Silicato Development, Morris James LLP, and JB and Julie Moore.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale in Millsboro provides services for more than 100 children on a daily basis, running beforeand after-school programs, a preschool and a summer camp.

For those who would like to donate or support the cause there is still a donation link available online at greatfuturesgalade. com.

Ocean Atlantic Sotheby’s International Realty members shown are (l-r) Justin Healy, Sandi Bisgood, Paul Maltaghati, Kathleen Schell, Jenn Barrows, Josette Castiglione, Steve Castiglione and Jen Lamson.

Bartenders Whitney Seabrease and John Keenan took care of the attendees throughout the evening.

Shown in back are (l-r) John Wellons, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware CEO; Erica Kennedy, Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club director; CJ Pitts, Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club program director; steering committee members Stacy Lawson, Tracey Gross and Juliane Hein; and Lucille Cavan, steering committee/Oak Orchard club board member. In front are Shelly Kennedy, steering committee; Toby Cullen, Oak Orchard club board president; Leanne Silicato Prosser, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware board member, Oak Orchard club board member, Great Futures Fund director; Tyasia Bell, Teen Youth of the Year - Western Sussex Boys & Girl Club and gala guest speaker; Raven Hudson, steering committee; Nicole Silicato Miller, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware corporate board member, Great Futures Fund director; and Kathleen Schell, Boys & Girls Club of Delaware board member.

DAN COOK PHOTOS

Somer Jordan entertains the crowd during the cocktail hour.

Joe and Debbie Schell enjoy the cocktail hour.

Supporting the event are (l-r) Matthew and Jess Giardina, and Raven and Jamin Hudson.

Kelsey and Mike Sanders pose at the Great Futures Gala backdrop.