Cordrey Center Charities to kick off fundraising with 5k

The Cordrey family, owners of East Coast Garden Center, RSC Landscaping and the Cordrey Center — a party and wedding venue in Millsboro — are combining their fundraising and charity-supporting efforts with the Cordrey Center Charities. Recently, they filed for 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, and they will kick off their work with a 5K walk-run fundraiser Sept. 29.

“We have always done a lot of small charity-type things in the past,” explained Chris Cordrey of RSC Landscaping, “and this will allow us to have a bigger impact.”

He said they are still in the planning stages for the Cordrey Center Charities but hope to visit different schools to educate students about gardening, eating healthy and producing their own foods. Cordrey said they are meeting with East Millsboro Elementary School officials at the end of the month and hope to really get their action plan finalized. He said they are also looking into going into area nursing homes for similar programs.

The 5K run/walk will kick off on the day of their annual Harvest Festival — Brats-N-Beer, and participants will be able to run in a cut-out path in the middle of their 200-acre cornfield across the street from the center. In addition to the 5K, Cordrey said the festival will feature 16 Mile Micro-Brewery, country line dancing, a train club display, hayrides and more.

“It’s a pretty fun event,” he said of the annual Harvest Festival.

People can pre-register for the 5K by Sept. 27 by visiting Seashorestriders.com. Proceeds from this first 5K will help to jump start the Cordrey Center Charities.

“We just hope to offer a free and different event and a way to educate people and get the community involved in gardening,” said Cordrey.

For more information on East Coast Garden Center, including classes or other events, RSC Landscaping, or on the Cordrey Center, visit them online at eastcoastgardencenter.com.