Dear Friends of Children’s Beach House,
Children and youth are very perceptive. They can tell whether the adults in their lives are really interested in them or not. If we truly care about young people and want them to truly feel our concern, we need to intentionally do things that communicate our care for them beyond our words. For example, noticing when a youth is missing from a family event, or following up on a recent conversation, or even introducing them to a colleague or friend who is an expert in an area of interest to a child. Maybe you have a young person in your world who is interested in cars. Can you imagine his or her excitement when being introduced to someone who has rebuilt an old car, or who has just purchased a new Corvette?
There are more subtle ways to show kids we care. We need to look them in the eye when we speak to them. Be kindly direct and honest with them. Remember a favorite food! By doing these things, the children in our lives will see and feel (and taste) our concern and will believe that we care about them.
Awareness of care is the basis of trust. And trust between a child and a competent, caring adult forms a protective wall that reduce risk for young people. This is not just the work of Children’s Beach House. It’s a responsibility we all share -- to intentionally support the positive development of youth. Thank you for sharing in our mission.
Sincerely,
Richard T. Garrett, Executive Director
Summer at the Margaret H. Rollins Child Development Center
With 37 three- and four-year-olds in one place, The Margaret H. Rollins Child Development Center is always a beehive of activity – and summer is no exception. There’s nothing lazy about these hazy days.
Preschool has embraced summer with sun-tanned arms and the kids’ days are a mix of learning and outdoor summer fun. So, in addition to the regular fare of math, language, and science activities, and weekly sessions with volunteers from Read Aloud Delaware, the kids have spent a great deal of the summer dripping wet. A new collection of water and spray toys have made for many fun sprinkler days. And, of course, there’s our wonderful Delaware Bay beach.
Thanks to our generous donors, in addition to the new sprinkler day supplies, we were also able to purchase new sports balls for the playground, and new big Tonka dump trucks, which have already rearranged several tons of sand on the beach.
Since they were planted with the help of volunteers from Suburban Propane, the gardens of the Rollins Center have grown and flourished under the care of our young gardeners. The marigolds, vinca, and dianthus in the rowboat garden are blooming beautifully and have supplied several bouquets. And the squashes from the vegetable garden have been deliciously prepared by Chef Paula Baker and enjoyed at lunchtime by the hardworking farmers who grew them. Soon to be on the menu: tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers!
The Rollins Center said goodbye to two beloved teaching assistants. Josiah Taylor hasn’t gone too far, though. He is now serving as a CBH camp counselor. Jenni Hollingworth has left to become a mother, but fully expects to return as a volunteer. In their place, we’re happy to welcome Lacey Byrd and Asia Riley-Spillane.
The Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club Parties for a Good Cause
Many thanks to The Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club for its very generous contribution of $13,500 from the proceeds of its Boat Drinks Bacchanal! The May 21 event at Northbeach restaurant in Dewey Beach was the club’s first big event since 2019 due to the pandemic shutdown.
“Our goal was to just get Boat Drinks off the ground again,” said Lori Nichols, club vice president.
“We wanted to be able to start giving back to the community, no matter how small. With the help of close to 50 club member volunteers and numerous donors, Boat Drinks 2022 turned out to be one of our best events ever!”
And what an event it was! Staff members, Pat Tosi, Justin Nixon, and Barry Goodinson represented Children’s Beach House at the event – and had a great time. “The party-goers were so interested in CBH’s work and asked lots of questions,” noted Goodinson.
“And the more they learned, the more generously they bid on auction items. We were blown away by their interest and generosity.”
So, thank you to The Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club!
Thank you for your generosity, your sincere interest in the work we do, and your concern for the children and families we serve. And for a great party!
Meet Preston Lee
CBH Trustee and Property Committee Chair
Before Preston Lee joined CBH’s board of trustees, he said he was like many CBH neighbors. “I knew Children’s Beach House did good work and I knew it had a good reputation. I also saw the campers having fun on the beach, but that was the extent of my understanding.” Then, in 2004, CBH trustee, the late Russel Tatman, turned to Pres for help. Mr. Tatman was Pres’ engineering firm business partner and was chair of CBH’s property committee. Mr. Tatman needed to step down from the CBH board and he wanted to make sure he left the property committee in the hands of a capable engineer.
Pres’ hands have been kept quite busy ever since. Built in 2000 and exposed to extreme conditions on the coast, CBH’s Lewes facility has had several issues that have called upon his expertise and attention. Shortly after taking the helm of the property committee, CBH learned that the building’s windows and siding needed to be replaced. Pres’ professional knowledge and judgement were invaluable as CBH considered material options and new building standards for ocean-front property windows. He then helped manage the project through the renovation process.
Then, it was on to creating a new child development center. As CBH prepared to open the Margaret H. Rollins Child Development Center in 2015, we needed to convert a large second-floor multipurpose room into two classrooms and pint-sized restrooms to meet the needs and ensure the safety of 38 three- and four-year-old active learners. Once again, Pres’ leadership and knowledge were invaluable.
During the pandemic shutdown, Pres concurrently saw CBH through three of the most technically demanding projects undertaken: replacing the building’s storm-weathered roof; replacing its outmoded HVAC system; and replacing all the incandescent lights with LED fixtures. The result is a building that uses financial and natural resources more responsibly and wisely.
When asked about his time with CBH, Pres doesn’t focus on the enormous body of work he’s overseen or how he has helped transform our building. Instead, he talks about the kids. “Once I got involved here, I was able to see why the Beach House has such a good reputation. I’ve seen the work first-hand…I’ve found Founders Day to be so rewarding, when the board gets to sit and have lunch with the kids and staff and hear their stories…As board members we also regularly hear [Executive Director] Rich [Garrett] report on the successes he sees and the lives changed…The children here form real friendships. They find real buddies.”
We are deeply grateful to Pres for his dedication to the Beach House and for helping to make it such a safe, warm, dry, and wonderful place to find buddies.
Caliente Carnivale!
CBH’s Annual Beach Barbecue Returns August 27, 2022
Delamarva’s most creative party planners are busy arranging the highlight of everyone’s summer: the annual Children’s Beach House Beach Barbecue – Carnavale! Event co-chairs, Cheryl Crowe, Karen Faulk, and Kloe Thompson invite partygoers to celebrate the flavors, colors, sounds, and fashions of South America. Gourmet cuisine prepared by chef Paula Baker, beer and wine bars, and a fruit crush bar sponsored by Paradise Grill will make the evening as delicious as it will be beautiful. And, as always, a live auction, music, dancing, and entertainment will make Carnavale! a night to remember.
All proceeds from Carnavale! will support CBH’s work with children, youth, and families across the state of Delaware. To maximize those proceeds, CBH relies on the kind and generous support of event sponsors – individuals and businesses who provide financial support and lend their names to the effort.
Click HERE to learn more about Carnavale! sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets. We’d love to have you join the party!
The Ashley Furio 5K Run has grown bigger and better every year! Nearly 500 supporters gather at the Crooked Hammock for the event.
Don't want to run but still want to support? Register for the "Crooked Crawl" to get your race shirt and head straight for the bar and fabulous buffet! Event benefits the Margaret H. Rollins Child Development Center at Children's Beach House.
To become a sponsor or register for the event, visit www.cbhinc.org, or text FURIO5K to 41444, or call 302.645.9184
Beacon Society
The Children’s Beach House Beacon Society is a group of donors who make a gift of at least $1,000 each year. Donors who make a gift of at least $10,000 with a pledge of making the same gift next year are considered Founding Members of the Beacon Society.
Beacon Society Founding Members
Beacon Society Members
Beacon Society members receive special quarterly newsletters, 2 complimentary tickets to either the Beach BBQ (August) or the Winter White (December) events and are invited to meet the campers on Founder’s Day in July.
Join the Beacon Society and provide a light to the children and families at Children’s Beach House! You can also call us to set up your donations at (302) 645-9184.
