Coastal Delaware Insider:  Volume 3

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

It's not always easy to tell when a child is in need, hungry, or being mistreated in some way. For many young kids in our schools right here in Sussex County, however, one need is more obvious - they lack the proper clothes to attend school five days a week.

Clothing Our Kids {COK}, a non-profit organization located in Millsboro, DE, is working to ensure that no child misses a day of school because they don't have proper shoes or clothes, a coat to wear in the winter, or are simply too embarrassed to attend school due to unwashed clothing.
Since its inception in 2012, COK has delivered over 117,573 articles of clothing to over 20,418 children in Sussex County, Delaware. Schoolchildren from Pre-K through 5th grade, truly vulnerable ages, have received clothing through the organization. Providing appropriate school clothes boosts these young students' confidence, reducing the possibility of bullying while increasing the probability of regular attendance.
This volunteer organization works exclusively with school nurses and social workers familiar with the family history and needs of each child. Some children come from broken homes or abusive domestic situations, while other families have simply fallen on hard times and lack the income to purchase new childrens' clothing.

Clothing Our Kids was born out of the love and hard work of Mary Rio, a resident of Long Neck, Delaware. As Mary puts it, "My husband was an assistant principal of an area elementary school and told me after school one day that we needed to buy clothes for one particular child. This young girl had come into school on a Monday and had unfortunately gotten sick all over her outfit. On Tuesday and Wednesday, she had to come to school wearing these same dirty articles of clothing. The teacher sent her to the nurse to call home to get different, clean clothes. The girl broke down in tears because she didn't have any other clothes to wear."

After hearing her husband's heart-wrenching story, Rio issued a call to neighbors for help. She collected new and lightly-used clothes, providing the girl with several new outfits; however, the story shocked Rio and she started reaching out to other schools to see if there were more students who needed help. The need was greater than she imagined and Rio founded Clothing Our Kids in 2012, working out of her own home.

According to Rio, "In the past few years, you can't imagine how this organization has grown. I always say I just planted the seed and this little twig came up the first two years. But over the past five years, this little twig grew into a giant tree because of our COK volunteers and so many people in the community who are backing us. It's all the community reaching out to help children in need."
Mary's "twig" has blossomed into a solid oak tree. With the assistance of over 150 tireless volunteers, countless businesses, and donors, COK has been able to purchase, sort, process, and deliver hundreds of thousands of clothing items to Sussex County schoolchildren in need. "We are so very grateful to neighboring communities, churches, synagogues, Rotary organizations, clubs, and foundations for their generous donations of time and funds," said Kate Gibson, current President of the Clothing Our Kids Board of Directors. "The support of the community for our two annual fundraisers - the Golf Outing in the fall and Auction Party in the spring - also help us raise the necessary funds to make COK a trusted resource for the kids of Sussex County. We are blessed to live in such a close-knit and giving community."

Get Involved!
Clothing Our Kids is always looking for volunteers to help serve more children in need.
Give them a call at 302-864-KIDS (5437)

Get Connected!
clothingourkids.org   |   @clothingourkids

Coastal Delaware Insider:  Volume 1

The amount of gear you drag across the sand can add up quickly, even for just a relaxing day on the beach. You've most likely tried hauling everything in one trip, looking more like a Sherpa than the care-free beachgoer you had planned for your next Instagram post. Beach carts are great, but even the best model, loaded down with every imaginable supply, has its limitations.

To that end, my family has all but abandoned that trek at this point and opt instead for the miles of drive-on beach here along the Delaware coastline. It's not for everyone - 4-wheel drive and a bit of off-road courage is a must. However, once you get a handle on the drive-on scene, you may never go back to schlepping overpacked beach bags and sand toys across the hot sand again. As an added bonus, the kids might even learn a thing or two along the way and enjoy the great outdoors more than the latest video game.

Getting stuck in the sand or being fined for not following the rules is a sure-fire way to ruin a day on the beach. First and foremost, be sure your vehicle is up to the task. Four-wheel drive is a must and your vehicle should have at least seven inches of ground clearance. Step two: get your surf fishing permit and tags. Every vehicle must display a current beach tag when crossing the dunes. Now, be sure you've got all the gear needed to comply with state park regulations before heading out on the sand. Here's a basic rundown:

• Shovel
Don't depend on the plastic shovel and bucket the kids brought for sand castles. Get a small, sturdy shovel that can handle the job; you may need to dig out a tire or two.

• Vehicle Jack
The scissor jack that came with your truck won't be of much use once sand makes its way into the threads. Grab an inexpensive hydraulic jack instead.

• Jack Support
Maybe not be the most obvious piece of your kit, but you'll need something to provide a solid footing for your jack in the soft sand. A section of a 2"x6" board can do the trick.
Pro tip: this can also double as a cutting board for bait.

• Tire Gauge
Keep from getting stuck in the first place and air down before you drive out. Most vehicles are able to stay out of trouble by simply letting some air out to increase the surface area of each tire. Many people shoot for around 15 PSI in each tire, but consult your vehicle's manual for exact specs.

• Tow Rope
These can take several forms (ropes, straps, or cables), but make sure the one you purchase is rated well beyond the weight of your vehicle. Although a tow strap is typically the last resort for getting you out, it's required and could save you from an expensive tow truck bill.

• Fishing Gear
You must be actively fishing in order to enjoy the drive-on beaches in Delaware. As such, you'll need a few additional items including a fishing rod, tackle, bait, and a rod holder. You don't need the most expensive fishing gear, but any of the local tackle shops will be able to point you in the right direction.

As with any other endeavor, the sky is the limit when it comes to the amount of money you could potentially spend on your beach kit. Don't be intimidated by trucks fitted out with every off-road option available. In nearly every instance, a reasonably-priced piece of equipment will provide the same function as its more expensive counterpart.

Likewise, you don't have to be an off-road enthusiast or a die-hard fisherman to enjoy the drive-on beaches. The vast majority of people out on the beach with you are willing to lend a hand or dole out some helpful advice when needed.

Be respectful of others and remember to abide by the basic Leave No Trace principles (LNT.org) and
you're guaranteed a memorable day.

You're at the beach. Air down. Drive on.
See you on the sand.

Visit destateparks.com for maps, tips, and additional resources.
Check in with the crew at delaware-surf-fishing.com to keep up with everything happening in the surf.

Coastal Delaware Insider:  Volume 2

Ready to explore the natural beauty and serenity of our coastal areas but dreading the traffic on Coastal Highway to get to your final destination? Well, it's time to ease off the gas pedal and jump on the closest bike to hit the miles and miles of dedicated cycling trails here at the beach.

Due to our fairly flat and even terrain, it's surprisingly easy and enjoyable to ride the 15-mile loop around Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Start anywhere on the loop and take in the gorgeous views and sand dunes of Cape Henlopen State Park, wooded trail paths, and beautiful Gordon's Pond. A short hop through downtown Rehoboth will put you back on the Junction & Breakwater portion of the loop.

Select a final dining or beac destination and stop for some R&R in either town before jumping on your bike to head home. No parking worries or traffic jams will ensure a stress-free day at the beach - just don't forget your water bottle and helmet!

Check out traillink.com for a comprehensive guide to all of the area's biking trails.

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