CUMBERLAND — The charitable foundation behind DelFest reached a milestone recently when it surpassed $750,000 in donations made to local causes.
“DelFest is one week a year, but through the foundation, we’ve found a way to support the community year-round,” said Bill Rudd, chairman of the DelFest Foundation Board.
One of the most popular bluegrass and Americana music festivals in the country, DelFest got its start in 2008 with the backing of bluegrass great Del McCoury and his family. The festival is held every Memorial Day weekend at the Allegany County Fairgrounds.
After its debut in 2008, the McCoury family and festival organizers decided to find a way to give back to the community.
In 2009, the DelFest Foundation was established.
“At first we did a lot of small events to try to raise money for the foundation,” said Susan Stewart, the board’s vice president. “But, we stayed with it and found ways to keep it going.”
Over its 16 years, the foundation has made donations to numerous causes and charitable organizations.
Recently, it helped Westernport after severe flash flooding in May.
The flood resulted in damage estimated at more than $30 million.
“This was a tragedy that we wanted to help,” said Rudd. “We gave support to the Westernport Library and also the Potomac Fire Company … helping them to purchase a UTV (utility terrain vehicle).”
Rudd said the foundation has made contributions to nearly 80 causes since its inception.
Some of the recipients include the Union Rescue Mission, Jane’s Place, Associated Charities, the Salvation Army Cumberland Corps and the Western Maryland Food Bank.
“A lot of the places have struggled to find help for their needs and we decided to help,” Stewart said. The food bank was able to obtain a van thanks to contributions from the foundation.
The funding for the foundation comes largely from sources at the festival, said Stewart, with No. 1 being a percentage of beverage sales at the event.
Other sources include tips made at the beverage tents as well as raffles at the festival. Attendees can buy raffle tickets for a variety of items, including four-day passes with parking, Grand Ole Opry tickets, Martin and Eastman guitars and mandolins and posters signed by Del McCoury and other performers at DelFest.
Rudd said the foundation donates $100 to charity for each four-hour shift by a volunteer working the festival.
“We want to keep it going,” Rudd said. “We ask people to keep us in mind. If something comes up we will take a look. We will try to help. If we can’t help we may know someone who can.”