On Tuesday, May 5, the air was filled with the spirit of community and half a century of service. CHEER celebrated its 55th anniversary with an event titled “55 on 5/5.” It wasn’t just a birthday party — it was a demonstration of the local partnerships that make Sussex County a vibrant place to live and work.
A convergence of community leaders
The event was a rare “quad-chamber” mixer, bringing together members from four of the region’s Chambers of Commerce:
• Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Georgetown Chamber of Commerce;
• Millsboro Chamber of Commerce; and
• Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce.
Alongside local business leaders were the heartbeat of the organization: the CHEER employees and the Board of Directors, all gathering to honor 55 years of dedication to the senior community.
The atmosphere was electric, thanks to the rhythmic styling of DJ Victor from Maxima (104.1-FM). His curated playlist kept the energy high as guests networked, enjoyed the warm breezes under the tent, and celebrated with food and drink in the Cinco de Mayo theme.
As Cassie Wilson from State Farm commented, “It was so nice to connect and engage with professionals from different chambers and truly enjoy such a well-planned event. The food, entertainment, drinks and overall atmosphere were exceptional. Everything came together beautifully.”
The “55 on 5/5” celebration delivered a culinary experience that reflected the diversity of the community:
• CHEER’s Culinary Team showcased the hospitality that defines their daily operations, offering a variety of items to round out the menu, including tortilla chips and a variety of compliments, such as salsa, guacamole, queso and Mexican street-corn dip. There were also jalapeno poppers, taquitos and tres leches cake.
• Shore Island provided chicken and beef empanadas.
• Tacos El Gordo served up authentic flavors.
The evening was punctuated by door prizes. CHEER ensured that many guests walked away with more than just memories. Prizes awarded throughout the night included:
• Gift cards to several area dining establishments;
• Luxury stays with hotel, breakfast and dinner package;
• Gift baskets, with collections overflowing with local favorites and premium goods.
“CHEER extends its deepest thanks to everyone who attended, because they are who made the event a success. The turnout was a testament to the deep roots CHEER has planted in Sussex County since its inception,” organizers said.
Beckett Wheatley, CHEER CEO, thanked everyone for coming and said, “To our partners, our staff, and our community: thank you for 55 years of support. We are only as strong as the neighbors who stand with us.”
CHEER thanked the sponsoring organizations for their commitment to CHEER’s mission: Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Millsboro Chamber of Commerce, Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Ad-Art Signs, Maxima Radio, The Insurance Market, Tidal Health, Barton’s Rental & Supply, Cambria Rehoboth Beach, M&T Bank, NKS Distributing, Shore Island, Tacos El Gordo and Thrivent Action Team.
CHEER Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to promote and maintain the highest quality of life and independence for seniors 50 and older through nutrition programs, transportation, senior activity centers and personal assistance services. Learn more at cheerde.com.
