As part of its continual effort to make a difference in the community in which it lives and serves, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty’s Gallo Gives Foundation awarded several donations to area organizations:  the Friends of Sussex CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Habitat for Humanity’s Bahamas Relief Fund, Bethany Beach/Lewes/ Rehoboth Beach volunteer fire departments, and the Developing Artists Collaboration; in addition, a portion of earnings has been set aside for a college-bound senior scholarship that will be made available in the spring of 2020. The total donated to these organizations was $7,250.

$2,000 was presented to the Friends of Sussex CASA (FOSC), which is a nonprofit organization existing to provide financial support for the unmet needs of foster children. While the CASA program in OCA (Office of Child Advocate) and the Department of Family Services are state-funded, there are many children’s needs that are not met by available state funds. These needs include additional training for CASAs as well as enriching activities for children. Through foundation support and donations, FOSC has been able to purchase computers for college-bound graduating seniors and pay for music lessons and sports camps for foster children. FOSC writes grant applications for its funding and asks primarily Sussex County foundations for support. To support or learn more about the organization, visit https://www.friendsofsussexcasa.org.

$2,000 was awarded to the Habitat for Humanity. The funds are distributed specifically for hurricane relief for the Bahamas victims. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward that vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. To help with a build or learn more about the organization, visit https://www.habitat.org.

$1,500 was donated, in total, to the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Lewes Fire Department, and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company. Each was awarded $500. The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company’s Emergency Medical Services Division is an unprecedented collaboration between the fire company and property owners within the towns of Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island and the Sea Colony Recreation Association. They strive to provide the highest quality of emergency care possible to the residents and visitors of The Quiet Resorts. The Lewes Fire Dept., Inc. provides emergency medical services for the City of Lewes and surrounding areas, including Cape Henlopen State Park and the Cape May – Lewes Ferry. They seek to serve in a time of need with the best-trained staff and the most up-to-date equipment possible. Finally, the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company provides fire and ambulance protection to three incorporated towns: Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Henlopen Acres. To learn more about the respective departments visit https://lewesfire.com, https://www.rehobothbeachfire.com, or http://bethanybeachfire.com.

Lastly, $500 was delivered to Developing Artist Collaboration. The group is a nonprofit that partners its artists and volunteers with schools and at-risk groups to create art therapy initiatives as well as murals and beautification projects. It gives its artists resources, career-building tools, and an innovative space dedicated to collaboration.  Its purpose is not to serve a population, but to serve a community. To learn more about or donate to this organization, visit http://developingarts.org.

The Gallo Gives Foundation is funded through the company’s agents, management, and owners. Agents are encouraged to donate a percentage of their commissions earned, and the firm matches all agent/staff contributions 100 percent.  Public donations will be accepted as well. Each Gallo Realty office, in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach, is represented by individuals who serve on the foundation’s giving committee. The committee researches community charities in need and recommends funding. The foundation is managed by the Greater Lewes Foundation. To request assistance for your charity or organization, please send information to Andrew Ratner, BHHS Gallo Realty, 37230 Rehoboth Avenue Ext., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

About BHHS Gallo Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty is an award-winning, full-service real estate firm that has been serving the resort region since 1979.  The firm has three main offices, located in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach, with two satellite locations in the Lewes area.  The company is independently owned and operated. Visit www.GoToGallo.com for details.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, based in Irvine, CA, is a real estate brokerage network built for a new era in residential real estate. The network, among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of trust, integrity, stability, and longevity. Visit www.berkshirehathawayhs.com for details.

About HSF Affiliates LLC

HSF Affiliates LLC, based in Irvine, CA is a joint venture of which HomeServices of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc.