SoDel Concepts receives Restaurant Neighbor Award from National Restaurant Association

Members of the SoDel Concepts team celebrate the Restaurant Neighbor Award from the National Restaurant Association. Shown are (l-r) Danielle Panarello, Phil Blush, Mike Zygmonski, Andrew Dickinson, Bob Wolfgang, Lisa Wheeler, Michael Dickinson, Scott Kammerer, Lauren Herlihy, Alan Levin, Lindsey Barry, Matt Patton, Meghan King, Dan Levin, Kris Medford, Chris Sockriter, and Ronnie Burkle. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Rehoboth Beach-based SoDel Concepts, a hospitality group with 10 restaurants, recently received the Restaurant Neighbor Award for Delaware. The award was created by the National Restaurant Association and American Express to honor outstanding community service and involvement. According to the National Restaurant Association, 90 percent of restaurants are involved in community activities in some fashion.

"As a team, we do our best to be a positive force in our communities," said Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts.

Scott Kammerer, SoDel Concepts president, holds the Restaurant Neighbor Award honoring outstanding community service and involvement.

Kammerer is the founder of SoDel Cares, a nonprofit foundation that supports organizations that assist children, at-risk youth and adults, and the elderly in the communities in which SoDel Concepts restaurants are located. The restaurants and their employees also are involved in philanthropic activities. SoDel Concepts was founded by Matt Haley, who received the James Beard Foundation's 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award.

"We are community gathering places," Kammerer said. "We would not exist if neighbors did not support us. It's our duty and our privilege to support them in their time of need."

For information on SoDel Concepts, go to www.sodelconcepts.com.