“Community Makes It Possible”
Each time I review our service reports, one number always causes me to pause. Last fiscal year, more than 41,000 hours of volunteer time were given to CHEER. That is not a feel-good statistic. It is a survival statistic. It is the reason we are able to do what we do. Behind that number are individuals who pack coolers, drive delivery routes, serve meals in our dining rooms, assist with activities, and check on neighbors who might otherwise spend the day alone. Those hours represent commitment, compassion, and community in action.
April gives us the opportunity to formally recognize those efforts during Volunteer Appreciation Month and, at CHEER, appreciation is more than ceremonial. It is deeply practical. Our volunteers are essential, especially in our Home Delivered Meals program. Every weekday, meals leave our kitchens and travel across Sussex County. Volunteers are the friendly faces at the door. They are often the extra set of eyes ensuring someone is safe and doing well.
Here is the reality: without volunteers, our costs would rise dramatically. If we had to replace more than 41,000 donated hours with paid labor, the financial strain would be significant. Instead, those hours allow us to stretch limited funding further toward food, fuel, staffing, and program support.
Even so, the need continues to grow.
Sussex County’s senior population is expanding. More individuals are aging in place. More neighbors rely on a daily
meal, personal assistance, or a safe and engaging environment during the day. We need additional drivers. We need dining room helpers. We need individuals willing to give even a few hours a week.
If you have time, once a week or once a month, I encourage you to consider volunteering. A single route can change someone’s day – and better your day! A few hours can strengthen an entire program.
It is also important to understand how CHEER operates. We are a private, nonprofit organization. We are partially funded through contracts with the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
(DSAAPD) for programs such as Personal Assistance Services (PASA), Adult Day Services, Caregiver Resources, Congregate meals at our senior centers, and Home Delivered Meals. However, those contracts do not fully cover the cost of providing services.
When a senior enjoys a nutritious meal, at home or at one of our centers, there are real expenses behind it. When a CHEER Direct Care Worker provides assistance that allows someone to remain safely at home, there are real operational
costs. Food, utilities, vehicles, insurance, staffing, facilities, all must be sustained.
We rely on voluntary donations from the seniors we serve and from generous community supporters to help close the gap between contract funding and actual costs. Participation matters as well. Our funding levels are based on prior service numbers. Consistent attendance and engagement help protect and strengthen future funding. In simple terms: volunteers extend our reach. Donations strengthen our foundation. Participation protects our future.
CHEER has served Sussex County seniors for more than five decades because people have stepped forward when needed. That has not changed.
This month, we celebrate those who already give so generously and we extend an invitation to anyone who may be ready to help.
If you are able, call CHEER. There is meaningful work waiting and, together, we will continue serving our community with strength and stability.
Community Champions