World AIDS Day kicks off HIV Awareness Month
On December 1, CAMP Rehoboth honored the 35th commemoration of World AIDS Day with a service at All Saints’ Church. With the global theme “Let Communities Lead,” this year’s event featured a portion of the AIDS Quilt, which served as a powerful backdrop for the service as attendees remembered the many lives lost to AIDS and reflected on its continued impact today.
Performances by members of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus and local musician Alicia Mickenberg provided a reflective space for attendees. A joint reading by local faith leaders, and dedicated time where the community shared words and stories reflecting on loved ones lost to the epidemic, highlighted the strength in solidarity.
World AIDS Day was just the start of honoring HIV Awareness Month, which extends throughout December. CAMP Rehoboth encourages all community members to honor the month by knowing their status and getting tested during daily walk-in testing hours at the center. During December, incentives are being offered to those tested; see page 76. For more information, visit camprehoboth.com. ▼
Photo credit: Leslie Sinclair
Send CAMP Rehoboth Soaring Into 2024
Missed the chance to support CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on Giving Tuesday? Fret not! There’s still an opportunity to keep pride in progress into 2024 by contributing a year-end contribution. Stay tuned for more information on how to make a tax-deductible donation and double your impact, courtesy of matching gift donors Wes Combs and Greg Albright. ▼
Comings & Goings on the CAMP Rehoboth Board
As 2024 nears, the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors is welcoming some new faces and saying goodbye to one treasured Board member.
First, CAMP Rehoboth’s Board of Directors appointed Polly Donaldson in July 2023. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she lived in Washington, DC for many years before retiring and moving to Rehoboth Beach in October 2021. Next, Michelle Manfredi was appointed to the Board at the November Board meeting. Michelle is an arts educator for elementary youth in Kent County, and a longtime volunteer at CAMP Rehoboth. Michelle co-chairs the annual CAMP Rehoboth Block Party in October, and will co-chair Women’s FEST 2024 in the spring. Stay tuned for a formal introduction to Polly and Michelle in Letters’ first 2024 issue.
Finally, Jason D. Mathis will be departing the Board, as he will be starting his next chapter in Mexico in the new year. Please join CAMP Rehoboth in wishing Jason well in all his future endeavors! ▼
Cruisin’ Tikis of Rehoboth Bay Support CAMP Rehoboth
Cruisin’ Tikis of Rehoboth Bay donated $1,000 in support of CAMP Rehoboth for Pride Month. Owners Lawrence Sinkus and his wife donated a portion of each cruise that was chartered in June.
Pictured L-R is owner Lawrence Sinkus, CAMP Rehoboth Development Manager Laurie Thompson, and Captain John Meyer.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Presents “SELFIES”
They’re back! Come January 13, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) will return to CAMP Rehoboth with its new show, “SELFIES.”
Performances will be at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in CAMP Rehoboth’s Elkins-Archibald Atrium. Seating is limited, and past shows have sold out. Tickets are $30 and are available online at camprehoboth.com. Don’t delay! ▼
Hosting a Historic Blood Drive
On November 11, CAMP Rehoboth hosted the Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBoD) for a historic blood drive. For the first time in four decades, gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSMs) were able to donate blood. This partnership followed the FDA lifting its ban earlier this year. In October, the BBoD had rolled out its new individual donor assessment, which screens for risky behaviors—instead of sexual orientations—to ensure safe blood donations.
The community response was more than BBoD anticipated, with 42 total donors contributing to the cause, 10 of those walk-ins.
Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, a professor of nursing at the University of Delaware, commented on the partnership’s impact: “I commend CAMP Rehoboth and the Blood Bank of Delmarva for their determination and commitment to raising awareness, educating the public, and fighting for equity. When we have equity in our health systems, that’s how we ensure services are sensitive and responsive, relevant, and meet the needs so no one is left behind.”
CAMP Rehoboth and the BBoD are currently working on a follow-up drive for February 2024. Stay tuned for registration information at camprehoboth.com.
Pictured: Daniel Bruner. Photo credit: Tony Prado.
Women’s FEST Headliner Announced
Mark your calendars! CAMP Rehoboth has something particularly festive for spring: next year’s Women’s FEST, taking over Rehoboth Beach from April 25 - 28, 2024!
As part of the festivities, CAMP Rehoboth is excited to announce that Lea DeLaria will be headlining with a performance at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Lea was the first openly gay comic on television in America, and is an accomplished jazz performer who has appeared in concert venues all over the world. She is best known as ‘Big Boo’ from Orange is the New Black (three SAG Awards). Lea can currently be seen in the indie feature film Potato Dreams of America, and in the Indigo Girls jukebox feature film, Glitter & Doom. And, she will be starring in the upcoming Off-Broadway Revival of Tennessee Williams’ play, Night of the Iguana, directed by Emily Mann.
Right now you can book a stay with an incredible 30 percent discount at the Atlantic Sands before January 1, 2024; there’s a 20 percent discount if booked after. Just mention “Women’s FEST” with the booking.
Be sure to check the website for continuing updates, and “like” @CAMPRehobothWomensFEST on Facebook! ▼
Dewey Beer Supports CAMP Rehoboth
On November 30, CAMP Rehoboth was presented a check representing Dewey Beer Company’s generous donations from the Dewey Beer Brewery tours in Harbeson, which benefitted CAMP Rehoboth earlier this year. ▼
Photo, L-R: Matty Brown, Gar Bercury, sales with Dewey Beer Company, Laurie Thompson, Tara Sheldon, Kim Leisey
#GivingTuesday at CAMP Rehoboth
Giving Tuesday was a great success at CAMP Rehoboth thanks to 102 donors. With community support, CAMP Rehoboth raised $17,649—exceeding its initial goal by 68 percent! CAMP Rehoboth is grateful for Jennifer Rubenstein and Diane Scobey’s matching gift of $5,000. All these donations will go towards Creating A More Positive Rehoboth and beyond, and will enable CAMP Rehoboth to be a beacon of light for the LGBTQ+ community. ▼
Travels with Letters
Honolulu & Anchorage
Mateo & Michael’s excellent adventure