Not many charities host a golf tournament with a rock ‘n’ roll theme, and few hold a benefit concert starring performers who’ve played with Bad Company and the Little River Band.
But the fundraising events were par for the course for Paul Kares in 2023, a year filled with music, good food and grants to remarkably talented individuals.
I founded Paul Kares, a 501(c)(3) organization, with musician-personal chef Paul Cullen to support young people seeking performing and culinary arts careers.
Why these professions?
Paul, who played bass with Bad Company, is an accomplished musician and personal chef. After each in-home dining experience, he offers a private concert.
He knows how hard it is to get a gig or climb the culinary ladder. To be sure, gaining experience takes grit and money, and we created Paul Kares to help teens and young adults leverage opportunities.
This year, for instance, we awarded $3,000 to Delaware Technical Community College so cash-strapped students can participate in the school’s culinary trip to Italy.
We witnessed the value of the trip firsthand after underwriting DTCC culinary student Mitch Bunting’s expenses. He said the cuisine and culture provided an eye-opening experience.
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Mitch works at The Room at Cedar Grove, the Lewes supper club that Paul Cullen founded for Paul Kares, and this past year, The Room hosted such well-known artists as Melody Trucks, Jeffrey Gaines, Marcus Johnson, Libby York and Duane Betts. Proceeds from the events, which often include dinner, benefit Paul Kares.
The Room frequently features the Fitzkee Brothers — Alex and Drew — local musicians who’ve traveled with Melody Trucks.
Alex, a percussionist, joined Paul and Tony Sciuto, founder of the Little River Band, to form Bad River, a fun group playing outstanding music. Bad River also includes local musician and international recording artist Robbie LaBlanc. Together, they’ve headlined the Concert for the Kids, our primary fundraiser at the Milton Theatre.
The Fitzkees often perform with Noah Gibney, and Paul Kares underwrote Gibney’s tuition to Roots Rock Revival, an event in the Catskills inspired by the music of the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead and American roots music.
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Additionally, Paul Kares awarded Kathryn Sumstine of Milton a $2,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia, majoring in the performing arts.
Paul Kares helps groups as well as individuals. Last year, for instance, we awarded $3,000 to the Cape Henlopen Jazz Band to help pay for travel to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference.
On Dec. 17, the band will perform at a special holiday brunch at The Room at Cedar Grove.
Combining music, food and philanthropy has been rewarding — but it’s also been a blast. For instance, our sold-out Paul Kares Rock & Roll Golf Fundraiser featured a barbecue and Bad River concert. We encouraged participants to wear their favorite rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts.
In 2024, we look forward to booking more local and national acts in The Room at Cedar Grove, holding more fundraisers and supporting the next generation of top-shelf performers and award-winning chefs.
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Paul Kare’s applications are open to children — or their parents or grandparents. Public and private school programs and learning camps may also apply. Visit paulkaresde.org.
The deadline for grant applications is the last week of each quarter. The next deadline is Dec. 31.
Jim Rivette is a founder of and president of the board of directors of Paul Kares.
