In Brief

This Labor Day weekend the doors of the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center will open on the 17th annual Sundance Benefit—one of the area’s most successful fundraisers. Last year’s net of more than $178,000 set a new Sundance record.

"It’s become the traditional way for many of us to end the summer," says CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director and Sundance co-chair Steve Elkins. "Last year over 150 volunteers worked to make it all happen—and the amazing thing is that they come back year after year because they have such a strong commitment to the event."

Since its first year, Sundance has relied on a host committee to pay for the event, which allows 100% of the money raised from ticket sales and auction items to go to the benefactors. Over the years, the addition of sponsors, supporters, and an ever-growing host list has made the event a tremendous success.

All the money raised at Sundance goes to support the work of local organizations. This year, 50% of the money raised will be donated to Sussex County AIDS Council (SCAC), 40% to CAMP Rehoboth, and the remaining 10% to the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.

The first night of Sundance, Saturday, September 4, from 7-10 p.m., is the auction. The evening includes a cocktail buffet by the Blue Moon Restaurant, an open bar, and over 500 auction items in both a live and a silent auction. Auction items include art, furniture, airline tickets, dinners at fine restaurants, weekend getaways, and more. This year’s auction includes furniture from Abizak’s, a Bowflex from Leisure Fitness, a vintage Rehoboth Beach swing back white bench, a hot tub from New Wave Spas, and Murray Archibald’s 2004 Sundance painting childsplay (act of love).

The second night of the Sundance weekend, Sunday, September 5, is the dance. Under the guidance of artist Murray Archibald and his dedicated crew, the Rehoboth Convention Center will be transformed into a rainbow wonderland. "We have to build a room within a room," he says, "in order to support the enormous amount of lighting, sound, and decorations needed for the event."

Tickets for Sundance 2004 are $40 per night or $70 for both events and are available through CAMP Rehoboth, Lambda Rising Rehoboth, or on the Sundance Web site, www.sundancebenefit.com.

Signed, limited edition prints of this year’s Sundance painting titled childsplay (act of love) by Murray Archibald are available through CAMP Rehoboth for $50. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Sundance 2004. The original will be auctioned in the Sundance live auction on September 4. Prints from preceding Sundances are also available. Sundance t-shirts are available for $20 each. Prints and t-shirts can also be ordered on the Sundance Web site.

For more information about Sundance, to purchase tickets, or to contribute to the auction, call CAMP Rehoboth, 302-227-5620.

Cafe Zeus Hosts Lifeline I, A Benefit for SCAC

Cafe Zeus will host a benefit for the Sussex County AIDS Council on Sunday, August 15 from 5 p.m. at the restaurant located at 37 Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Titled "Lifeline 1" the event will feature six local bartenders offering their services for two ten minute shifts each, with proceeds going to SCAC. Participating restaurants include a representative from Aqua, Blue Moon, Cloud 9, Double L, Frogg Pond and the soon to be opened Partners Bistro (formerly Harlow’s).

Show your support for your favorite bartender by buying a shooter, thus helping to raise money for SCAC. The bartender raising the most money will also receive a prize package courtesy of Cafe Zeus and EXP Magazine.

Cafe Zeus is a Mediterranean inspired restaurant in the heart of restaurant row, 1.5 blocks from the ocean. For more information, call 302-226-0400.

CAMP Rehoboth Joins With Roy G. Biv For a Colorful Life!

CAMP Rehoboth will soon belong to Roy G. Biv’s Innovative Affinity Program for nonprofit organizations. By promoting Roy G. Biv, a home furnishings internet company, and its wonderful line of colorful outdoor furnishings, we will receive 10% of any order placed by purchasers who designate CAMP Rehoboth as their cause. All proceeds from this Affinity Program will benefit the Founders’ Circle Capital Campaign. Look for more details in the upcoming Labor Day issue of Letters. For more information on Roy G. Biv Colorful Home Furnishings, visit their website at www.roygbivhome.com.

CAMP and the Cancer Society Promote the Delaware Quitline

CAMP Rehoboth is partnering with the American Cancer Society to encourage the use of the Delaware Quitline as a free counseling and information service designed to help adult Delawareans 18 years of age or older kick their tobacco habit. Delaware residents, college students or military currently residing in Delaware are eligible to access this service. The Delaware Quitline provides quit-smoking materials; information about quitting (even if you’re not yet ready to quit); one-on-one telephone counseling; follow-up support; and referrals to a Delaware pharmacist for in-person counseling. The Delaware pharmacist in the Rehoboth area is Chris Sauls at the Rehoboth Pharmacy. After enrollment in the Quitline program, smokers may be eligible for nicotine replacement vouchers for stop smoking aids such as patches or gum. The service is easy to access. Simply call 1-866-409-1858, toll free, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, if you’re interested in kicking your tobacco habit. Delaware Quitline services are provided by the American Cancer Society, the Delaware Pharmacists Society and the Lutheran Community Services through a contract with Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health and funded in part by the Delaware Health Fund.

Delaware Stonewall Democrats Gear Up for Election 2004

"We must show people that democracy is not about words, but action." Eleanor Roosevelt said it, and more than 300 Democrats attending the Delaware Stonewall Democrats Victory 2004 Summer Benefit in Rehoboth Beach on August 7 pledged to take her charge to heart and work for Democratic victories at the local, state, and national levels this election season.

An all star lineup featuring Senator Tom Carper, Governor Ruth Ann Minner, US Congressman Barney Frank from Massachusetts, National Stonewall Democrats’ Chrissy Gephardt, and Mark Seifert of the Kerry/Edwards campaign urged the crowd to get more involved in the political process this year. "It’s the most important election we’ve seen in years," said Congressman Barney Frank, one of the Democratic Party’s intellectual and political leaders and the country’s best known gay politician. "Not only must we vote," said Chrissy Gephardt, the openly lesbian daughter of former presidential candidate Richard Gephardt, "but we all need to talk to our families and friends about this election and why the Democrats are the right party to move this country forward."

The event raised almost $20,000 in cash, pledges, and in-kind donations. Funds will enable the Delaware Stonewall Democrats to play a more active role in key local and state Democratic races, assist Delaware Democratic efforts to get out the vote in this crucial election year, and continue to build bridges between the gay and lesbian community and the Delaware Democratic Party.

In addition to Senator Carper and Governor Minner, an all-star lineup of Delaware Democrats attended the event. Mark Aguirre, first openly gay Rehoboth Beach City Commissioner; Rick Bayard, Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party; Lynne Betts, Chairman, Sussex County Democrats; Senator Patty Blevins, 7th District; Walt Bryan, acting Chair, 14th District Democrats; Brian Bushweller, candidate for Senate 17th District; Matt Denn, candidate for Insurance Commissioner for the State of Delaware; Brian Dolan, candidate for House of Representatives 36th District; Emily Falcon, Delaware’s first openly lesbian delegate to the Democratic National Convention; Patrick Gossett, candidate for Rehoboth Beach City Commission; Virginia Harmon, President, Eastern Sussex Democrats; Molly Jursik, President, Delaware Young Democrats; Representative Helene Keeley, 3rd District; Barbara Lifflander, candidate for House of Representatives 41st District; Nicole Majeski, Executive Director of the Delaware Democratic Party; Nick Mirro, candidate for House of Representatives 37th District; Shirley Price, candidate for House of Representatives 38th District; Kay Ryan, Chair, South Eastern Sussex Democrats; Tom Savage, candidate for Senate 18th District; Susan Swan, Sussex County for Kerry Committee, and Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, 14th District.

Delaware Stonewall Democrats was established in 2003 as an affiliate of the National Stonewall Democrats. For more information, visit www.delawarestonewall.com.