As part of its continual effort to make a difference in the community in which it lives and serves, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty’s Gallo Gives Foundation awarded donations to:  Cancer Support Community La Red Health Center, Food Bank of Delaware, Friends of Sussex Casa, Rehoboth Beach Fire Dept., Celebrate Wellness, Developing Artis Collaboration, Free Bike 4 Kidz, and the Frankford Public Library.  Additionally, the Foundation provided two scholarships for $2,500 each to local high school students pursing a college degree.  In all, $16,250.00 was donated for this giving campaign.

$2,000 was provided to the Cancer Support Community.  Cancer Support Community Delaware has spent the past 29 years making their mission their tradition, by striving to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. As a statewide nonprofit organization their support groups and programs are professionally led and are provided at no cost to help participants and caregivers cope with the emotional and life changing aspects of cancer.  For details and to donate, visit their website atcancersupportdelaware.com.

$2,000 was given to the La Red Health Center.  La Red Health Center’s Mission is to be a Center of Excellence which provides quality patient centered care to the diverse members of our community.  La Red Health Center started as a 24 hour/7 days per week telephone hotline to facilitate access to medical care for individuals with no or limited English proficiency. Referrals were made to a network of primary and subspecialty care physicians who were bilingual and who treated patients at discounted rates.  The Center was started by a network of physicians in Sussex County to meet the needs of a growing number of locally uninsured individuals. The physicians partnered with a local community hospital, a local community center, a local faith-based organization, and local government to help individuals in Sussex County who faced significant barriers to healthcare.  To assist and donate visit laredhealthcenter.org.

$2,000 was given to the Food Bank of Delaware. The Food Bank of Delaware distributes food statewide through a network of partners. Food is easily accessible from local food closets, mobile pantries and schools. At the same time, they help individuals and families gain long-term financial stability by providing job training, nutrition education, financial coaching, SNAP outreach, and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit fbd.org.

$2,000 was provided to Friends of Sussex CASA.  Friends of Sussex CASA (FOSC) provides children experiencing foster care in Sussex County with birthday gifts and enrichment opportunities that might not otherwise be available through state funding.  ​FOSC believes that by supporting neglected and abused children, the cycle of generations being placed into the foster care system and the generations of children failing to succeed in their lives can be reversed. To this end, FOSC funds provide children with opportunities, experiences, and items to enrich their lives and promote social development. FOSC also supports tailored training for CASAs who volunteer countless hours to be a voice for Delaware’s abused and neglected children.  For more information, visit friendsofsussexcasa.org.

$1,500 was given to the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department.  This donation is in support of the fire department’s annual fundraiser – The Fire Fightn’ 5K.  This running race will help raise funds for the department to help them continually serve and protect the Rehoboth Beach Area.  For more information visit rehobothfire.com.

$500 was given to the Celebrate Wellness.  Celebrate Wellness is a non-profit focused on supporting the mental wellness of hospitality workers. They provide education, connect individuals to resources and wellness experts, and offer financial assistance for mental health support.  In the hospitality industry, well-being often takes a backseat to job demands. Long hours and job pressure can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Their research revealed that financial constraints are a significant barrier to seeking therapy. With Celebrate Wellness, financial barriers don’t have to stop you from getting help.  For more information visit celebrate-wellness.org.

$500 was given to the Developing Artist Collaboration.  At DAC, we don’t just support artists—we empower them to transform communities through their creativity. Our innovative programming, professional development, and public engagement initiatives enable artists to thrive both creatively and financially, dismantling the outdated “starving artist” mentality.

DAC was built from the ground up to challenge traditional institutions and redefine how artists are supported. We serve emerging and hobby-level artists who seek to expand their creative careers and lifestyles.  We go beyond career-building. We cultivate mindsets, foster deep-rooted community connections, and support artists in achieving their unique goals—whether they aspire to professional success, personal fulfillment, or a combination of both.  For more information visit developingarts.org.

$500 was given to Free Bikes 4 Kidz.  Free Bikes 4 Kidz Delaware is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. The public donates gently used bikes, we organize volunteers to clean and refurbish them, and then we give them away to youth-serving non-profits and other organizations.  For more information visit fb4k.org.

$250 was donated to the Frankford Public Library.  The Frankford Public Library was established in November, 1931. The original library was housed in a small shop formerly used by a tinsmith. The library faced meager beginnings – having only $100 from the State of Delaware and 28 books to start its collection.  Further expansion occurred in 1981 when the First National Bank of Frankford donated the Main Street building to the library. At the same time, the library received a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The donation helped bring the library’s facilities up to date and provided an additional budget for book collection expansion.  Today, the library continues to be a favorite gathering place for Frankford residents, young and old. Library staff know members by name and strive to make them feel welcome.  For more information visit frankford.lib.de.us.

Finally, two $2,500 scholarships were awarded to local students.  A $2,500 scholarship was awarded to Melisa Yadira Velasquez-Zunun of Sussex Central High School.  The scholarship is to aid her in her college studies in Business.  A $2,500 scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Aleigha Harmon of Sussex Academy to help her in her college sturdies in Environmental Science.

About the Gallo Gives Foundation

The Gallo Gives Foundation is a charitable arm of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. The foundation is managed by the Greater Lewes Foundation. Most of the funds are contributed by the agents and staff of PenFed Realty, and the company matches all contributions 100%.  Established in 2016, the Gallo Gives Foundation has donated over $325,000 to local and worldwide charitable organizations.  If you would like to contribute to the foundation, or request a grant, please contact Andrew Ratner at 302-227-6101 or email andrew.ratner@PenFedRealty.com.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty (www.penfedrealty.com) is a full-service real estate company with an annual sales volume of over $8 billion. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., the company has over 2,000 agents and nearly 60 offices, providing complete real estate services nationwide and helping over 20,000 clients with their real estate needs each year. PenFed Realty is a wholly owned subsidiary of PenFed Credit Union and is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerage network, operated by HSF Affiliates LLC. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. Equal Housing Opportunity.