Our retreat began with the outpouring of support from the local Bethany Beach community.  As they have done for several years, Giant Food, gave us a large gift card to purchase groceries and the super employee, Luciano Prologo gave us the red carpet treatment!

The volunSTARs worked hard all morning setting up houses and preparing for the families.  The afternoon was warm and welcoming as 11 families from 9 states made their way to the home of Ann Raskaskaus with Bethany Area Realty.  Some families chose to explore their donated homes while others stuck around to socialize.  A delicious pasta dinner, provided by the local restaurant Mancini’s.

“It was like old friends coming together”, said volunSTAR Jen Minute.  “The participants immediately shook hands and stared talking.”
After dinner, the adults had an introductory meeting while their children played on the beach. There was sandcastle building, shell collecting, and the general merriment of kicking up sand. The rest of the week will allows families to kick back, relax and enjoy each other and the beautiful Bethany Beach!
“It’s only the first day, but it already seems like everyone ‘clicks'”, said volunSTAR Lindsay Lister.