On Tuesday, June 23, 2015, the Kenny Family Foundation’s 19th Annual Partners’ Breakfast, Golf Outing & Dinner welcomed over 350 guests for a full day of events in Wilmington and Newark. Backed by almost two decades of tradition, this sprawling event draws attendees from across the states of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. The event now extends across three premiere courses Deerfield Golf Club, Newark Country Club, and White Clay Creek Club to comfortably accommodate all of our gracious supporters.
The morning commenced with a new event for 2015, our Partner’s Networking Breakfast. With just under 50 guests in attendance, along with our golfers, the intimate setting allowed attendees to engage with some of the most prominent individuals from Delaware’s business and philanthropic sectors.
As golfers lined up for registration, our team of volunteers greeted each attendee and presented them with a gift as a thank you for their participation. Instead of the typical, one-size-fits-all giveaway, each golfer was given a $75.00 gift certificate to The KFF Pro Shop. Thanks to Executive Director, Heather Hook’s creative idea, golfers had the freedom to choose their own gift and the priceless opportunity to duck out of the sweltering heat as they browsed the merchandise. Additionally, this was the first mobile pro shop with multiple vendors held at a golf tournament in the area.
At noon, our foursomes were sent off with a welcome message from Vice President of the Board, Christopher Kenny before scattering across the three courses to tee off in our standard shotgun start. Complimentary transportation in an old fashioned trolley allowed participants to enjoy each of the three venues and all of their associated entertainment. In addition to golf, attendees were welcome to enjoy a game of tennis, rest and relaxation by the pool, live acoustic music by Samantha Seider, fine food, and chilled libations.
After a long day under the hot summer sun, our golfers cleaned up to walk the red carpet. Upon entering our dinner reception held at Deerfield Golf Club, guests enjoyed live music from The Pearl Street Band while perusing our expansive array of raffle items.
We were grateful to have had several notable guests from our local community, as well as more than half of our Active Partner organizations in attendance. These include Saint Anthony’s Board of Directors; Buzz Quillen- Owner of H.H.Quillen & Company; Morgan Hendry- President at SSS Clutch Company, Inc.; Cathy & Mark Parsells- CEO of GDR Acquisitions Company, LLC; John & Mary Ball Morton of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation; Steve Henretty- Owner of Henretty’s Crabcakes; David Mitchell- President of Mitchell Energy Management Services, Inc; Dr. Nakishia Bailey and Reverend Christopher Bullock of Canaan Baptist Church; Malone Harmon of City of Wilmington; Carl Colantuono- Director of Development of Salvation Army, and Jaclyn Lantieri Quinn- Deputy Director of DCRAC.
After dinner, guests spent a portion of the evening learning about our outlined charitable 
initiatives for the upcoming year. A highlight of the evening’s events included our partnership with Preston’s March For Energy– an organization founded by the Buenaga family and their son, Preston, who was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease. Through this partnership and our donors’ support, the Kenny Family Foundation was honored to present their 97th special needs bicycle to Dustin, an area college student who exemplifies the community’s need for adaptive recreational equipment for the disabled. Upon Dustin’s receipt of his new bike, the room erupted with excitement and applause.
As a community organization, the Kenny Family Foundation has the distinct opportunity to support a multitude of different causes in our area. As we partner with organizations that have similar goals and objectives, we strive to reach as many individuals as possible. Some of our valued partners provide food and access to healthcare while others educate our children, and others, yet, support the arts and humanities.
The Kenny Family, for whom the Foundation is named, has a long and esteemed history in the Delaware area. Bernard Kenny, owner of the Kenny Family ShopRites of Delaware, and his son, Christopher, the supermarket’s current President & CEO, founded the community foundation in 2008. Since its inception, the foundation’s mission has focused on improving the quality of life for the citizens of New Castle County while creating a sustainable future.
Over the past nineteen years, the Kenny Family Foundation has been able to grant an average of $250,000 annually to our partners in the community while supporting more than 1,000 local organizations. In 2014 the Kenny Family Foundation donated over $330,000 to New Castle County Organizations. Funds raised from this event will be used to support our three fundamental programs:
- Young Consumer Program: To extend the boundaries of a traditional classroom, this real-world program focuses on educating third and fourth grade students about making healthy food and financial decisions while also building critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills.
- Partners In Training: An employment and training partnership between The Kenny Family Foundation, Wakefern Food Corporation and our social service partner, Goodwill, assists people who are currently unemployed or receiving financial assistance.
- Active Partner: A micro grant program providing aid to area nonprofit organizations in the form of microgrants and outreach support. A number of our Active Partners volunteer to work at our Annual Fundraiser, annually. Thanks to the staff from the Bellevue Community Center, Delaware Humane Association, Faithful Friends, Grand Opera House, Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center, One Village Alliance, and Peoples’ Festival.
Other volunteers included the esteemed members of our own community volunteer program- who we proudly refer to as “KFFDElegates”. These individuals worked tirelessly to assist in the production of this event and to support our cause throughout the year. The Kenny Family Foundation is strengthened by the dedication of these community advocates who work alongside us while breathing life into our foundation’s mission.
In 2015, the Kenny Family Foundation endeavors to raise $600,000 to directly improve the lives of those living in the Delaware community. After the huge success of our annual fundraiser, we are well on our way to meeting our goal, and we would like to send a genuine and heartfelt thankful to all of our donors, sponsors, golfers, attendees, and volunteers. The Kenny Family Foundation wouldn’t know the success we have met today without the support and contributions from each of you.
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