LEWES, Del. — The Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation’s Bless Our Children Campaign was presented with The Salvation Army Delaware’s “Doing the Most Good” Award Sept. 3 during the organization’s 2026 awards luncheon at the Lewes Yacht Club.
Recognition for long-running holiday effort
The Salvation Army said the award honors volunteers and organizations that have made “noteworthy contributions above and beyond what is reasonably expected of a volunteer.” The Draper Foundation’s campaign, which coordinates holiday gift drives and partnerships to benefit children across Delmarva, was singled out for its sustained community impact.
“At The Salvation Army Delaware Awards Luncheon, we have the privilege of celebrating individuals and community partners whose compassion, generosity and commitment to serving others continue to make our communities stronger,” The Salvation Army Delaware said.
The Bless Our Children Campaign has operated for more than a decade, partnering with local businesses and community members to purchase and distribute Christmas gifts for children in need through charitable organizations across the Delmarva peninsula. Draper Holdings is the parent company of Draper Media and CoastTV.
Community partners and additional honorees
The Salvation Army also recognized several other local leaders and organizations at the Lewes Yacht Club event. Among honorees were Sen. Gerald W. Hocker, who received the Others Award, and recipients of the Heroes Award: Francisco Acevedo, Cynthia Linton, Mary Soderholm and Wegmans Food Markets.
The awards luncheon served both to salute individual volunteers and to highlight collaborative efforts between nonprofit groups, businesses and elected officials that support vulnerable residents across Delaware.
How the campaign operates
According to the campaign’s public materials, the Bless Our Children effort leverages relationships with local businesses and volunteers to collect funds or purchase presents that are then distributed through partner charities serving children and families with financial need. The Salvation Army’s award underscores the campaign’s role as a recurring source of in-kind support during the holiday season.
- Duration: More than a decade of annual drives.
- Scope: Gifts distributed across the Delmarva peninsula through partnered charities.
- Administrator: Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation.
Why the recognition matters locally
Nonprofit awards like this one offer more than ceremonial recognition: they raise the profile of volunteer campaigns and can help attract additional donors, corporate partners and volunteers. For programs that operate on seasonal giving, increased visibility ahead of the holidays can translate to more toys, clothing and essentials reaching children who otherwise might not receive them.
Local organizations say recognition also fosters trust among partner agencies that rely on predictable, repeatable campaigns to meet client needs during peak seasons.
Event details and next steps
The Salvation Army’s awards luncheon took place Sept. 3 at the Lewes Yacht Club. Those interested in supporting the Bless Our Children Campaign or learning how to donate were directed to the campaign’s website by Draper Media; the campaign continues to invite partnerships from businesses and community members across the peninsula.
| Organization | Award |
|---|---|
| Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation (Bless Our Children Campaign) | Doing the Most Good Award |
| Sen. Gerald W. Hocker | Others Award |
| Francisco Acevedo, Cynthia Linton, Mary Soderholm, Wegmans Food Markets | Heroes Award |
The Salvation Army said the luncheon is an annual opportunity to celebrate the volunteers and community partners whose work supports Delaware residents. For details about donations or to learn more about the campaign’s work, Draper Media and the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation provide online resources and contact points for prospective volunteers and sponsors.
This recognition places the Bless Our Children Campaign among a network of local charitable efforts that help fill material needs for children during the holidays, reinforcing a model of collaboration between media organizations, businesses and nonprofit service providers in Sussex County and beyond.
