The Senator's Week Ahead Schedule for October 8 - October 12

Wednesday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will be awarded the Science Coalition Champion of Science award. The Science Coalition is a non-profit organization committed to sustaining federal government funding to stimulate scientific research while making America a global competitive force. University of Delaware ISE Lab Foyer, 221 Academy Street, Newark, DE – Open to press. Contact Angie Anderson at 302-540-9342.

Wednesday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Easter Seals Annual Dinner where Governor Markell will be presented with the National Easter Seals Outstanding Advocate Award. This award is given to those who strive to enhance the quality of life amongst disabled individuals. Chase Center on the  Riverfront, Wilmington, DE 19801 – Open to press. Contact Verna Hensley at 302-221-2056.

Thursday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m.  – The Senator will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alder Creek apartment complex. Alder Creek is Newark’s newest affordable housing community and once completed will include 56 one- to four-bedroom apartments in 13 two-story buildings. 398 Cleveland Avenue, Alder Creek, Newark, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-685-2795.

Thursday, October 9, at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the 8^th Annual Delaware History Makers Award Dinner honoring Ellen Kullman. The History Makers Award is granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Delaware. Proceeds from the event will be used to support Delaware Historical Society educational programs. Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact Trudy Hansen at 302-295-2392.

Thursday, October 9 at 6:15 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Boy Scouts 2014 Citizen of the Year Event. For over 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have provided lifelong lessons to young children while demonstrating the importance of youth involvement in building a more sustainable society. Hotel du Pont, Wilmington, DE – Open to the press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-685-2795.

Thursday, October 9 at 7:15 p.m. – The Senator will attend the anniversary celebration of the Brandywine Chapter of the Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is the World’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving North America’s waterfowl habitats. Vicmead Hunt Club, Owls Nest Road, Greenville, DE – Closed to press.

Saturday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Fatherhood & Family Coalition’s 5^th Annual Delaware Devoted Dads Summit. Father involvement plays a major role in a child’s life due to its never-ending benefits. The DFFC is committed to giving fathers a voice to build positive relationships within their communities to enhance the well-being of their children. Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-685-2795.

Saturday, October 11 at 11:15 a.m. – The Senator will attend the 23^rd Annual Apple Scrapple Festival. The Apple Scrapple Festival has become a major fundraising event while spreading awareness of agricultural professions across lower Delaware. The festivities include a carnival, food court, and street dance. Bridgeville, DE – Open to Press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-685-2795.

Sunday, October 12 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the 11^th Annual Vendemmia da Vinci Wine Festival. The Societa Da Vinci is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness of the Italian Heritage. Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington, DE – Open to Press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham 302-685-2795.

Sunday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the DAABA Diwali Party. The Delaware Asian American Business Association supports the state’s retail community by supporting and proposing policy changes to support retailers. Nur Shrine, South Du Pont Highway, New Castle, DE – Open to Press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham 302-685-2795.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons' office accepting fall 2014 internship applications

Interested in working for Senator Coons in Washington or Delaware? The Office of Senator Chris Coons is seeking interns for offices in Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Dover, DE for the fall of 2014. Responsibilities include answering phones, greeting visitors, sorting mail, handling requests for flags and tours, and assisting front office as well as legislative staff. Please note that all positions are unpaid, but may qualify for academic credit if eligible. 

This position requires outstanding organizational abilities, strong communication skills, attention to detail, poise, flexibility, and an ability to prioritize in an extremely fast-paced office. Motivated, hard-working, and professional applicants looking to get a taste of Capitol Hill or state congressional offices are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should e-mail Eric Wall at Eric_Wall@coons.senate.gov with the subject line reading “Intern” and include a cover letter, resume, and one brief (2-3 pages) writing sample. Applicants should also specify which offices they are interested in applying to. Applications received by Sept. 1 will be given priority. Delaware ties a plus, but not required. Absolutely no walk-ins or phone calls.

Kind to Kids Foundation honors Senator and Mrs. Coons

WILMINGTON, Del. – The Kind to Kids Foundation honored Senator Coons and his wife Annie Friday with the Leadership in Service Award, presented at the organization’s annual Spring Celebration Breakfast in Wilmington. Kind to Kids is one of Delaware’s leading children’s non-profits, focused on providing Delaware children in foster care, poverty, and at-risk teens with critical support services and cultural opportunities. 

At Friday’s breakfast, Chris thanked program volunteers, participants, and supporters and recalled how co-founders Chris and Catherine Jones first became inspired to launch Kind to Kids.

“Catherine and Chris were at a sporting event when they looked up and saw empty seats and had the mindfulness to think: who isn’t here?” Chris said. “There are empty seats at empty tables all over the place in this community and in this world. There are children who are not at the table of opportunity.”

He continued, “For Catherine and Chris, they looked at a moment and they did something that I think Bobby Kennedy captured best when he said many decades ago, ‘There are those who look at the world as it is and say why, and then there are those who look at the world as it should be and say why not?’ Think about how that simple question – why not fill these empty seats? – has steadily moved outwards as ripples of justice that are touching now thousands of kids.”

Like Make-A-Wish, Kind to Kids gives deserving children the opportunity to expand their world and discover new possibilities. Since its founding in 2008, Kind to Kids has partnered with area venues to provide opportunities for over 5,000 children to attend concerts, sporting events, theater performances, and cultural events valued at over $80,000 in ticket costs. Kind to Kids has sponsored trips to Blue Rocks baseball games, Delaware Symphony events, Sesame Place, Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia 76ers games, Delaware Children’s Theatre performances and more. 

Other award recipients at Friday’s breakfast included Tracy Crowley, Vicky Martelli, and Cindy Wilkinson, who were presented with the Community Service Award, and Tollae Henry, a former foster teen, who was presented with this year’s Rising Star Award.

The Coons family volunteers regularly with Kind to Kids programs across the state. Annie Coons was the chair of this year's Kind to Kids 5k and the Foster Care Holiday Drive, which collected thousands of books for foster youth.

Senator Coons applauds launch of new company employing former foster care youth

WILMINGTON, Del. – Senator Coons joined Governor Markell, Congressman Carney, and local community leaders Thursday for the grand opening of popdot, a new sign production and installation company in Wilmington’s West End neighborhood that has committed to hiring disadvantaged youth.

The business was launched as a partnership between Sir Speedy Wilmington and West End Neighborhood House – with help from a $160,000 Community Economic Development Projects (CED) grant from the Department of Health and Human Services – and is dedicated to providing career opportunities for former foster care youth in Wilmington.

Danielle Cunningham is one such youth, who shared the story of her journey after aging out of the foster care system and finding herself homeless at age 18. Danielle took advantage of housing through West End Neighborhood House and job training opportunities at Wilmington's Bright Spot Ventures and is now beginning her career as a popdot employee.

 “What was most striking to hear from you, Danielle, was that this is a place where you can work together, and not just have great skills, not just have an opportunity at employment, but have a family, have a place where at work you are sharing with each other your values and your journey,” Chris said.

popdot is one of just 20 ventures across the country to submit a successful competitive CED grant application this year. The objective of the CED program is to support businesses that develop new products and services and create jobs for low-income individuals. To meet these goals, popdot has pledged to employ 75 percent low-income staff, provide full-time jobs with benefits that pay livable wages, and reinvest 51 percent of its profits into the community.

“Many of us recognize that it is small business owners, its entrepreneurs, its people who work hard day in and day out who create most of the jobs in our country and who are the real engines of vitality in our communities,” Chris said. 

Senator Coons' office accepting summer 2014 internship applications

Interested in working for Senator Coons in Washington or Delaware? The Office of Senator Chris Coons is seeking interns for offices in Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Dover, DE for the summer of 2014. Responsibilities include answering phones, greeting visitors, sorting mail, handling requests for flags and tours, and assisting front office as well as legislative staff. Summer internship positions are full time. Please note that all positions are unpaid, but may qualify for academic credit if eligible. 

This position requires outstanding organizational abilities, strong communication skills, attention to detail, poise, flexibility, and an ability to prioritize in an extremely fast-paced office. Motivated, hard-working, and professional applicants looking to get a taste of Capitol Hill or state congressional offices are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should e-mail Eric Wall at Eric_Wall@coons.senate.gov with the subject line reading “Intern” and include a cover letter, resume, and one brief (2-3 pages) writing sample. Applicants should also specify which offices they are interested in applying to. Applications received by May 15 will be given priority. Delaware ties a plus, but not required. Absolutely no walk-ins or phone calls.

Senator Coons surveys the future of charter schools in Wilmington

Sen. Coons listens to Community Education Building President Riccardo Stoeckicht as they stand in what will be the building's 7,000 square foot library.

Senator Coons peered into the future of Wilmington's charter schools as he joined Community Education Building (CEB) representatives Riccardo Stoeckicht and Robert Boyd for a behind-the-scenes look at the under-construction CEB in downtown Wilmington Friday. The 11-story building, donated by Bank of America to the Longwood Foundation, will house between 2,400-2,800 students when schools are operating at capacity.

Also along for the tour was Sally Maldonado, head of school for Kuumba Academy, one of the first schools that will be housed at the CEB. Academia Antonia Alonso is also scheduled to begin classes there in the fall.

“Students, especially young students, need a place to learn where they can feel inspired, safe and comfortable,” said Chris. “This building, once completed, will provide a place for more than 2,000 students to learn, grow and flourish as members of their community.”

“This project represents the best of Delaware," Senator Coons continued, "a state of neighbors that can come together from all areas, from the private sector to the non-profit world, to build something that is truly great. This facility is an example of what partnering and collaboration can achieve.”

Senator Coons welcomes TD Bank’s ‘strength of culture, strong future’ to downtown Wilmington

Senator Coons joined dozens of TD Bank employees, business leaders, and members of the Delaware delegation Monday to help officially open TD Bank’s Wilmington office, which will handle credit card services for the Cherry Hill, NJ-based bank.

The new center, located at the Hercules Building, currently houses 30 employees, with the goal to grow up to 100.

"The leaders at TD Bank know we have a world class workforce in financial services here in Delaware," Chris said. "Coupled with our state's longtime support for the needs of the financial services industry, the First State is the perfect place for TD Bank's business to grow." 

TD Bank Executive Vice President of Credit Cards Michael Rhodes remarked that the company's Wilmington facility "will allow us to be even more integrated from a capabilities, distribution, and platform perspective.”

“We are excited about the huge potential that TD brings to Wilmington," Chris said. "If you think about the strength of TD as a bank, about the strength of its balance sheet, about the strength of its culture, I think we are all confident in its strong future here. All of us see some green in the future today for T.D. Bank in Delaware.”

Chris also remarked on "the great reputation TD Bank has built for giving back to the community." In addition to opening the new office, TD Charitable Foundation made a $50,000 contribution to the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute.

Senator Coons lends helping hand at 31st Annual Turkey Drive

Senator Coons today joined an army of volunteers led by Norman Oliver, president of NOR Enterprises Inc., for Oliver's 31^st Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive in downtown Wilmington. Chris joined Senator Tom Carper, Congressman John Carney, and over a hundred student volunteers to distribute turkeys to families in need as part of the annual Wilmington Thanksgiving tradition.

The event kicked off at Herlihy Apartments, where Oliver thanked the scores of volunteers as well as key sponsor the Kenny Family Foundation, which owns and operates ShopRites of Delaware. The drive continued to Compton Apartments and concluded at Windsor Apartments.

“Thanksgiving is a time to show our gratitude for the many blessings in our lives," Chris said. "Reaching out to help those in need in our community is one of the best ways we can give back. Today's turkey drive will make the holiday brighter for so many Wilmingtonians, and I am grateful to everyone who came out today to participate.” 

Chris also paused to recognize those serving our country who will not get to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families this year. “We are so thankful for the men and women in uniform stationed around the world who will spend the holiday at military posts far from home. They are protecting us, and they will stay in our thoughts and prayers.”

Senator Coons recognizes ‘best of Delaware’ at dedication of Medal of Honor trail

Senator Coons delivered remarks Monday at the opening of the new walking trail at the Wilmington VA Medical Center Pavilion, dedicated in memory of Delaware’s 15 Medal of Honor recipients. The trail, which measures nearly a mile long, is dotted by 15 benches, red bud trees, and plaques, each engraved with the names, rank, and mission of each recipient.

Senator Coons asked attendees at the ceremony to imagine themselves in the harrowing situations faced by some of Delaware’s Medal of Honor recipients. “Imagine yourself, a 25 year old, 4,000 miles away from Wilmington, trying to storm a mine-laden beach in France,” Senator Coons said. “What would anyone of us have done if our commanding officer was killed? And then our sergeant was killed? If we were hit with shrapnel, not once but twice, and then shot in the leg, unable to move any further. Would any of us have had the courage not just to continue, but to lead? This was Sgt. James P. Connor’s story.”

“Despite injury, despite unthinkable odds, Sgt. Connor, and so many other brave Medal of Honor recipients found the strength to carry on, to lead their units, and complete their missions,” said Senator Coons.

Senator Coons closed his remarks by thanking veterans who were in attendance as well as the many descendants of Medal of Honor recipients who were on hand for the dedication.

Senator Coons marks grants to support healthy community

On Thursday, Senator Coons joined Senator Carper and Congressman Carney at the Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington to announce two federal grants awarded to Nemours for a combined total of nearly $6 million to help build healthier communities. 

 “These grants will serve tens of thousands of Delawareans, helping them live happier, healthier lives,” Chris said. In his remarks, he reiterated the significant impact that these grants will have on preventative care and early intervention, touching upon how it could enact change in areas such as the struggle with obesity and chronic diseases in young children.

For more on Chris’ work on health care, click here.