Jackson named Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation president

A school board election loss turned into a different opportunity to serve the community for Calvin Jackson.

In 2019, Jackson ran for a seat on the Cape Henlopen School District school board. While he didn’t win a term, he found himself on the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation radar. 

CHEF officials reached out to Jackson, a retired public relations professional, for his help on its communications and marketing committee.

“Before I knew it, I was vice president,” he laughed.

Now, Jackson has been named to a three-year term as CHEF president, taking over from Rick Grier-Reynolds.

“The only reason I took it on was because Rick agreed to stay on as vice president,” Jackson said. “His institutional knowledge and contacts are so valuable to us.”

Connie Kaden kept her seat as CHEF secretary and Gavin Radka remains treasurer for the organization, which comprises all volunteers except Administrative Manager Ashley Reynolds.

Many volunteers have no ties to the Cape district, other than they moved to the area, Jackson said.

“But we want to give back to the community, so what better way to give back than through the school district,” Jackson said.

Since its inception more than two decades ago, CHEF has raised more than $300,000 that it has awarded in grants to Cape teachers and students.

In the 2023-24 school year, CHEF awarded 42 teacher grants totaling $61,000 and eight performing arts student grants totaling $19,000, Jackson said.

“It’s been incredible for me to see those kids with performing arts grants blossom in their talent and as individuals,” he said.

Teacher grants are awarded for activities including class field trips, robotics program start-ups, clay and art supplies, and funding the therapeutic horseback riding program for Sussex Consortium students, Jackson said.

Everything is running smoothly with CHEF, said Jackson, who plans to extend services to underserved students who can slip between the cracks by working with social workers at each school.

“They know much better than we do where the need is,” he said.

The entire school district has been terrific to work with because they all believe in providing children with the same opportunity for a great education, Jackson said.

“We couldn’t do any of this without community support,” he said.

CHEF’s next event is Friends of Cape, set for Tuesday, Oct. 15, when students and teachers will share how awarded grants have impacted their education. CHEF’s signature event, Winter Jam, is set for Friday, March 7, 2025, at The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach with food, live music and auction items.

For more information or to donate, go to chef-cape.org.