If you’ve been to Dewey Beach and seen folks doing yoga on the sand, or if you noticed the beautiful landscaping along Del. 1 through the town, then you’ve witnessed some of the good work done by the Friends of Dewey.
The Friends, founded in 2011 by a group of residents and business and property owners, is all about making Dewey look good—both physically and in the media.
“There are a lot more positive things happening in Dewey beyond the debate about Ruddertowne,” says Friends cofounder Denise Campbell.
For example, during the Winter Gala, the Friends raised $4,000 for town beautification. The group also partnered with the Dewey Beach Civic League on a landscaping project and helped repair a gazebo in Sunset Park. The town’s beach cam was funded by the Friends. The group’s mission is to make Dewey a more family friendly place.
“There is a lot of news that doesn’t get out there,” Campbell says. “Controversy and divisive stories can get written about Dewey, but we want people to know it’s the only beach on the Eastern seaboard where we can have a dog on the beach during the season. We’ve started to balance that negative coverage.”
Campbell says anyone can join the Friends, which is now more than 800 strong. The group is looking for volunteers for community service projects as well as financial support.
friendsofdewey.com —Drew Ostroski
