There’s nothing like knowing you can depend on a good friend to get you through tough times. But for women who don’t have a support system nearby or simply fall on hard times, a new charity called Good Friends of The First State aims to lend a helping hand.
Founded in January 2023 by Sabrina du Pont–Langenegger, Good Friends is committed to raising funds to provide temporary financial assistance to women in Delaware in difficult circumstances. “We help when all other options have been exhausted for women who are struggling to make ends meet and [who] are dealing with unexpected expenses such as car repairs, medical bills, rent payments and utility bills,” du Pont–Langenegger explains. “By stepping in with one-time, limited financial assistance at critical moments, we can offer relief to women who are on the brink and prevent them from becoming derailed financially.”
The Newark native was living in Charleston, South Carolina, for a period pre-pandemic and was inspired while volunteering on the luncheon committee for the Good Friends of the Lowcountry nonprofit.
“By stepping in with one-time, limited financial assistance at critical moments, we can offer relief to women who are on the brink and prevent them from becoming derailed financially.”
“I was [moved] by what we were able to do in Charleston and wanted to find a way to provide hope and stability for women in our own community,” she says. “Our goal is to help those for whom we can make a difference. We are Good Friends to the community, to our neighbors and to each other.”
While the group accepts donations online year-round, the primary fundraising activity is an annual Day of Good Friends Ladies Luncheon, the first of which will be held April 25 at Wilmington Country Club. “It’s an afternoon of giving and fellowship,” du Pont–Langenegger says. “We purposely keep the ticket price very affordable [$50 to cover the meal and beverages], in the hopes that those who attend will give as generously as they can at the event itself.” All proceeds will be distributed to women in need throughout the following year.
Good Friends seeks businesses and individuals who want to support its cause to work with social workers and case managers from nonprofit agencies in Delaware to help identify women in need of their assistance. For more information, contact goodfriendsofthefirststate@gmail or visit goodfriendsofthefirststate.org.
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