SoDel Cares – a philanthropic organization founded to honor the work of restaurateur Matt Haley – raised $67,000 at the nonprofit’s first fund-raiser, a sold-out event held last month at Fish On in Lewes.
“It was exciting to see so many customers and friends come out to support SoDel Cares, which means so much to our SoDel family,” said Scott Kammerer, founder of SoDel Cares,
SoDel Cares was inspired by company founder Matt Haley, who was recognized locally and nationally for his generosity and philanthropy. He died n August 2014. “We are dedicated to continuing Matt’s mission,” Kammerer said. “He was a great man committed to so many ideals, one of the most important of which is to do whatever you can to help those less fortunate.”
Among the silent auction items was Haley’s 2013 Moto Guzzi, an Italian motorcycle, which was purchased for $8,500. Guests also bid on a four-day, three-night stay at the Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort in Tuscany, which went for $10,000. For $4,000, one winning bidder receives dinner for 10, hosted and prepared by food writer Bob Yesbek and Bob Ciprietti, owner of Touch of Italy.
SoDel Cares in its first year will earmark funds for causes that benefit children, at-risk youth, adults reentering society from the prison system and the elderly who need assistance.
Beneficiaries include the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club, The Freeman Stage at Bayside, the Music School of Delaware, which has a Milford location, and Pathways to Success. Funds raised this year will stay in Delaware.
SoDel Concepts also sponsors charitable events throughout the year, including the Women & Wine series at Lupo Italian Kitchen, from September through May; the Chicks for Charity series at Fish On; and Girl Scout Cookie Month in February. SoDel Concepts has also spearheaded a fundraiser to benefit Save the Children’s initiatives to aid children in Nepal after the earthquake in spring 2014. The restaurant industry event raised $30,377 in one night.
