January 22, 2009

Governor Markell Encourages Delawareans to Join Him in a Weekend of Service

Volunteer initiative replaces traditional Inaugural Ball

DOVER -- Wondering what to do with a football-free weekend on January 24-25? Put down the remote, get out of the house and volunteer!

Delawareans of all ages will be pitching in to help those in need during a statewide Better Delaware Weekend of Service on Jan. 24-25, 2009. Volunteers, led by Gov. Jack Markell and his wife, Carla, will participate in more than 30 projects up and down the state including park clean-ups in all three counties, sprucing up the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington, building Habitat for Humanity houses in Seaford and Laurel and delivering household goods to Goodwill locations up and down the state.

The Better Delaware Weekend of Service will cap the week’s inaugural activities and take the place of the traditional inaugural ball. “With our state in such a tough fiscal situation and so many of our citizens in need, we wanted to focus on Delawareans helping Delawareans,” Markell said. “We are so fortunate to live in a state where so many people care and want to help. By working together and focusing on volunteerism, we can make a difference – and help the nonprofits in the state that provide a crucial range of services.”

The Shipyard Shops at the Christina Riverfront in Wilmington will be a hub of volunteer activity in New Castle County on the 24th. Children and seniors will be helping Boots on the Ground by making cards for soldiers deployed overseas; volunteers will be collecting food donations and new diapers along with unneeded, usable clothing and household goods that will be sorted for numerous charities. In Newark, Newark Cares is asking people to share their time, goods or money with Emmaus House, Hope Dining Room and Newark’s Empowerment Center.

In support of the Delaware Does More Campaign, the Food Bank of Delaware will have a truck parked at the Riverfront in Wilmington specifically to receive donations of the following items: canned vegetables, canned meat & canned fruit, tuna, pasta sauce, pasta, peanut butter, cereal, soup, toothpaste and paper towels.

United Cerebral Palsy is looking for volunteers at their 700 River Road site in Wilmington to assist with the clean-up of the summer camp Manito, which provides children with disabilities an opportunity to be like all children and experience life to the fullest.

Corporations such as Barclay’s Bank have organized weekend volunteer projects for their employees. “Our philosophy at Barclays is not only to invest money in the community but also to contribute sweat equity and human capital,” says Senior Director Community Relations Jocelyn Stewart. “Last year our colleagues volunteered more than 28,000 hours and raised $375,000 for non profit groups in our community. Our colleagues are amazingly generous with their time and talent.”

In addition to cleaning up four parks in New Castle County, specifically, Banning, Bringhurst Woods, Rockwood and Iron Hill Parks from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, January 24th, there will be numerous opportunities at Cape Henlopen Park on Sunday, January 25th from noon to 3 p.m. that include Christmas tree recycling, painting and clean up.

Also, in Sussex County on Saturday, Jan. 24, Habitat for Humanity Is looking for volunteers to help build houses in Seaford and Laurel. Catholic Charities needs volunteers to help clean up its Milton shelter.

To view a list of statewide volunteer activities or to sign up to volunteer, go to http://www.BetterDelaware.orgor call (302)255-9037 for more information