2025 Annual Impact Report

Restaurants are an essential part of our community. They drive revenue, support surrounding businesses, provide employment, fuel tourism, serve as social and cultural hubs, and create experiences that bring people together. Imagine life without restaurants. At their core, restaurants are about people - their stories, their energy, their personalities. Celebrate Wellness exists to support those people.

As I reflect on 2025, I am deeply grateful for the growth and recognition Celebrate Wellness experienced. The shift we made at the beginning of 2024 to focus primarily on mental health proved to be a meaningful and impactful one.

Our success was reflected not only in increased therapy hours and fundraising, but across the board. Awareness of our work grew both within the community and among industry partners. Restaurant workers know about us and are talking about it. Celebrate Wellness received the Industry Impact Award from the Delaware Restaurant Association, a significant recognition from the very community we serve. I was also honored to be named Ambassador of the Month in December by The Burnt Chef Project, an international organization dedicated to improving mental health in hospitality.

Our most important achievement, however, is the people we helped. We supported local hospitality workers not just one person at a time, but as a recognized and trusted service within the restaurant community. We saw more than a 65% increase in paid therapy sessions, and more participants completed their full course of sessions, with very few dropping out early. Over half of our referrals now come from individuals who have been exposed to our work — a sign that this is becoming more than a program; it's becoming a movement. To me, this signals growing awareness of the importance of mental health and a meaningful reduction in the stigma around talking about it.

Looking ahead, we are deep into the development of an educational module for hospitality leaders, with a target completion in late fall. This program will help leaders recognize when a team member may be struggling, guide them in preparing for potentially difficult conversations, clarify what they can and cannot say, and provide a library of resources for support. Above all, we will continue to focus on helping people, one at a time.

Growth like this does not happen without the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, advocates, and broader community. Your generosity and belief in our mission have allowed us to make significant strides, and for that trust, I am truly grateful.

~ Kathy McDonald

Businesses & Organizations

• La Vida Hospitality
• Barefoot Landing
• Broadway at the Beach
• Sysco
• Highmark DE
• Carl M Freeman Foundation
• G+G Outfitters
• U.S Foods
• Produce Dude
• Farm Art
• NKS
• Standard Distributing
• Gallo Gives
• WSFS
• Starboard
• Amoretti
• Monument Southby
• Pratt Insurance
• L+W Insurance
• Dewey Beach Lions Club
• Bethany Blues
• Atlas Restaurants
• Pepsi
• NMB Chamber
• Marie Chaisson Real Estate
• Freedom Boat Club

Individuals

• Alison Diler
• Alison Schuh
• Amy Sweeney
• Ava Cannon
• Carl + Christina Molter
• Corey Houlihan
• Dan Matta
• Dave Furio
• Denise Allen
• Denise Hyde
• Erin Lavin
• Ginny Hyde
• Jeffrey Warner
• Jen Carroll
• Jessica Williamson
• John Harrington
• John Pitchford
• Joseph Garner
• Karen McGrath
• Kim Blanch
• Kristen Miller
• Kristy Chmelewski
• Lo Tibbets
• Margaret Rapp
• Mary Beth Hutton
• Meg Gardner
• Mitchell Resnick
• Mitchell Rosenfeld
• Molly Williams
• Nancy Derrickson
• Nancy Silver
• Nicole Kirby
• Pam George
• Patricia Malandra
• Patti Drago
• Patti Grimes
• Rachel Hersh
• Rita Poore
• Ronnie Cavelius
• Rose Furio
• Sarah Gilmour
• Sarah Hyde
• Scott Thomas
• Sharon Smith
• Stephanie Lanchoney
• Stephen Soulas
• Steve Levine
• Susan Sokowski
• Tara Gush