On Saturday, December 5th, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore held their Home for the Holidays Live Stream Community Event. This year, due to the pandemic, UWLES was unable to host their annual Holiday Ball event at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort in Cambridge, and created a new virtual event featuring a silent auction, grand prize drawing provided by Avery Hall Insurance Group, and more, broadcast live on Facebook thanks to partners PAC14.
This year’s event featured hosts Pam Gregory, President & CEO of UWLES and Randy Scott of Whiskey & Randy on Froggy 99.9. The livestream included videos from the event Chairs, Jim & Kim List, UWLES board members and community partners such as Diakonia and The American Red Cross Delmarva among others who shared about United Way’s impact in our community. Also featured were musical performances by local artists including Cheryl Taustin, Todd Crosby, Gary Webber, Michael Pruitt, Margo Resto, Rhonda Apple and Salisbury University’s Opera students.
The event would not have been possible without the support of many community partners: Avery Hall Insurance Group, DS Smith, Mr. Mark Rudnick & Ms. Julie Thompsen, TidalHealth, Bank of America, Bank of Delmarva, M&T Bank, Perdue Farms, Salisbury University Foundation, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Delmarva Power, Embers, Blu & Pier 23 Restaurants, James A. List Attorney at Law, Kuhn's Jewelers, Ms. Sonya Whited, Downtown Bridal, Gillis Gilkerson, PNC Bank, Pool Tech, TGM Group, Dr. Charles Wight & Ms. Victoria Rasmussen, Dr. & Mrs. William Doyle, Hebron Savings Bank, Ocean Downs Casino, Law Office of George G. Strott, Jr., Peninsula Imaging, Provident State Bank, Rotary Club of Wicomico County, PAC 14, Delmarva Now and Delmarva Public Media.
“It’s not easy for nonprofits, as we’re faced with responding to more needs with less resources like donations and volunteers and doing so while keeping safety first. It is a challenge for sure. But through United Way, each of us can help. Together, we can make a big impact and help our neighbors through these trying times.” Jim List, Co-Chair of Home for the Holidays and UWLES Board member.
Home for the Holidays raised over $65,000 to support direct services and programs through 40 local nonprofit agencies serving Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, where 1 in 3 local neighbors are impacted annually through United Way’s work.
To view the event online, learn more, or donate to support Lower Shore neighbors, visit www.uwles.org/HomefortheHolidays.