The Second Annual Difference Makers Gala

The mission of the Matt Heley trust is to make our world a little bit better and kinder. The trust’s mission is to further Matt’s Haley’s legacy by removing the establishment hurdles that keep individuals from reaching their full potential. The Trust offers second chances to individuals, questions the unjust status quo, and lifts other up. The foundation has funded numerous organizations through Sussex County.

The Lewes Public Library prides itself on providing consistent and reliable equity of access in all they do for the community and beyond. The opportunity to freely access information should be a right and not a privilege and the library works to ensure resources, spaces, and programming are accessible and available to everyone regardless of race, religion, beliefs, socioeconomic status and ability. It is a place where everyone is free to be who they are and have an equal opportunity to learn, live, grow and strive for their personal goals.

Hattie Bull grew up in Quitman, Georgia where racism was rampant and unapologetic. Her lifelong work has been to change the impact of racism on children and families. Her passion is to make sure all children are treated fairly and equally.

Ms. Bull holds an Undergraduate Degree in Business Education and a Master’s Degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction. She works with the Cape Henlopen School District Minority Liaison Committee which focuses on increasing minority hiring, addressing the disparity in discipline, and closing opportunity gaps for all children.

Waynne Harmon Paskins is a native of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. A retired educator from Cape Henlopen School District, Ms. Paskins co-founded and/or chartered several local organizations, including Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Organization of Sussex County, Sisterhood Book Club, and Sussex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She continues to volunteer with church and other service groups locally.

Difference Makers Gala opening remarks

In our society, we celebrate all kinds of people:

• We celebrate sports heroes like the Lebron James and Stef Curry
• We celebrate movies and TV stars Brad Pitt and Denzel Washington
• We celebrate politicians: Bernie Sanders and Lisa Blunt Rochester
• We celebrate news personalities like Rachel Maddow,
• We celebrate comedians like Whoopi Goldberg, and Jim Gaffigan
• We celebrate religious leaders like the Pope
• We even celebrate TikTok and web influencers such as Awakafina and Josh Johnson
• But we do not celebrate at least as much as we should, VOLUNTEERS!

Few honor people like you sitting around this tables for showing  up at last weeks’ record breaking “No Kings” rally or the many meetings and events at the Lewes Library, one of honorees.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS GALA IS ABOUT CELEBRATING PEOPLE WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF GIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Here are some recent U.S. statistics on volunteering — from sources such as the AmeriCorps / U.S. Census Bureau:

• Between September 2022 and September 2023, about7 million Americans (≈ 28.3 % of the population aged 16+) formally volunteered through organizations (e.g., food banks, shelters, tutoring programs). Census.gov+2Activate Good+2
• In that same period, formal volunteers contributed an estimated99 billion hours of service, valued at about $167.2 billion in economic value. NonProfit PRO+2Census.gov+2
• Informal volunteering (helping neighbors or acquaintances outside formal organizations) remains large: about2 % of Americans reported helping someone (running errands, lending tools, caregiving) in that same period. Census.gov+1

In Delaware informal volunteering has a much higher rate of 69.4 % so we significantly beat the national average. We should be proud of that.

So if you are volunteering, you are in good company

Tonight we are here to celebrate strong spirit of volunteerism. We are here to say to you who give their time , treasure, love and dedication that

we see you,
we appreciate you
and we treasurer you and everything you do.
You are our heroes
You are our stars
You are our celebrities

And tonight we celebrate you!