Community pulls together for a cause
Earlier this summer, on July 17, 29-year-old Megan Hammel was tragically killed in a car accident at Five Points in Lewes, leaving behind three children, all younger than 8. This week, musicians, business owners and members of the community will come together for a benefit like none other, in hopes of giving her children the life she wanted for them.
The Chalkboard Tavern and Grille in Bethany Beach will host a charitable evening with live entertainment from five bands, door prizes, a silent auction and food and drink specials for everyone who attends. Local singer Gina DiNubile and Chalkboard employee Lauren Katz helped arrange the evening, which will run from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“This is a celebration of her life and to provide a future for her children,” said DiNubile. “As a community, we really want to be able to be there for the kids. It’s not always easy to put a positive light on something so horrible, but we’re going to do our best.”
Joey Mack, 7, Angelina Hammel, 5, and Luke Hammel, 1, may have few memories of their mother to hold onto, but the evening promises to prove to them that they, and their mother, are far from forgotten. Proceeds from the Wednesday night event will go to the Megan Hammel Children’s Fund, which was orchestrated shortly after her death.
A $5 donation will be collected at the door, with many more ways for anyone in attendance to give back. Gift and prize donations have been received for raffles and door prize drawings, as well as for the silent auction. Well-known establishments like K-Coast Surf Shop in Ocean City, Made You Look in Rehoboth, Beauty at the Beach in Bethany, and Goodfella’s Pizza and Subs in Dagsboro have all given items for the event.
Tunes from local favorites Lowercase Blues, Crooked Finger, Aaron Howell Band, Giv-N-Take and Blake Haley will highlight the benefit, and for the musicians, offering their time was not a tough decision.
“As musicians,” said Mike Givens, frontman for Giv-N-Take, “we have a very close connection with each other. It’s nice to bring people together for a purpose. Even people who didn’t know the family are excited about coming out.”
Jason Lee of Crooked Finger was willing to contribute his time and talent at the drop of a hat. “One thing about music,” he said, “is that it heals a lot of wounds. Think about it. A lot of times, people look back on a tough time in their life and can remember a song that helped give them strength to get through.
“We’re helping to give these kids a life their mother intended them to have. It’s not about a time when our band goes up and plays and says, ‘Hey, look what we’re doing for charity.’ It’s about being there for someone, and doing what’s right. Hopefully, those kids will be able to look back and see that there’s a community that loves them and helped them through a hard time, and years from now, they’ll help someone else.”
Preparation for the night has been the subject of some serious organization, but Katz is certain they’ve got what they want.
“We’ve worked closely with a lot of businesses and restaurants,” she said, “and it’s not just their donations. Many owners have even let us advertise the event at their places. We really want to get the word out there.”
Hooters and Big Tuna of Ocean City have also given items for the raffle.
“It’s really amazing to see so many people come together to make something happen,” DiNubile noted.
The evening was originally suggested to be a smaller event, hosting a band or two, but as word spread, more and more jumped aboard for the cause.
“It doesn’t take much to really help someone in need,” DiNubile added. “It’s amazing how tight-knit this community is. If something like this happens, you see more and more people step up to help out.”
The public can go out to support the cause at Chalkboard Tavern and Grille in Bethany Beach on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. Items for the raffle and door prizes will be accepted up until that evening, and monetary donations are always welcome. Checks or cash contributions can be made out directly to: Megan Hammel Children’s Fund, WSFS Bank, 19335 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, Attn: Marion Campo.
For more information, questions or comments, call the restaurant at (302) 539-7482, Gina DiNubile at (302) 344-5753 or Lauren Katz at (410) 868-8880.
