Downtown Visions Wilmington DE

Compassionate Cliff: Downtown Visions Ambassador Helps Citizen to Safety

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Downtown Visions Cleaning Ambassador Cliff Fitzgerald was out on his morning rounds one Sunday when he came across someone in need of his help. Downtown business owner, Victor Battaglia, accidentally injured himself and was without a phone or the keys to his office. Without a second thought, Cliff rushed to help him and get him to the hospital.

Mr. Battaglia wrote to the Downtown Visions office to share his experience and how grateful he was for Cliff’s assistance. Though this incident is rare, the compassion shown by Cliff is not. Cliff is a a true example of our values as an organization, and could not be more deserving of this praise.

Please read an excerpt of Mr. Battaglia’s letter below and understand just how willing to help our Ambassadors are at all times:

I write to thank you for kindness shown to me by Cliff Fitzgerald on Sunday April 25, 2021.

On that day, I had gone to work for a client at about 8:50 a.m. My son dropped me off at the office, and I entered and put my key to the office and cell phone on the desk. In a short time, I felt the need of coffee. I went out without my keys or phone. It was Sunday and nobody with reasonable distance is open. I walked the street looking for a place. No such thing. Resumed walking to go across the street to parking garage to see if there is a phone. No phone. I went along the walkway in the garage which appeared to me to be about 4 inches above the drive way. I tried to step off the walkway to the driveway and when I did, I fell and injured myself.

As I lay on the ground, for about 5 minutes, no one stopped in the garage on or on the street.

Then I spotted your vehicle and Cliff. Problem solved. I don't know if I would have bled to death if not for him. He got me to go to the hospital and the cure was started.

I had to lengthen this letter because I want you to know the great kindness of your employee and what appeared to be my recovery.

Thank you for him and thank him for me. He is not only a good employee he is both kind and thoughtful.”

In case you didn’t know, Downtown Visions Ambassadors offer cleaning and safety support 7 days a week in the Downtown Central Business District. Next time you see one of our uniformed ambassadors (in bright yellow clothing), don’t hesitate to approach them and request information about downtown! They can give you directions, information on restaurants, hotels and local shops — just ask. You can also request a free safety escort by calling (302) 425-4200 x1 to request a free Safety Escort anywhere within the neighborhood during operating hours from 6AM to 12AM.

Downtown Visions Awarded Grant From Bank of America to Support Main Street Wilmington Program

Downtown Visions was recently awarded a grant from Bank of American to support the efforts of the nonprofit’s Main Street Wilmington program.

From its inception, Downtown Visions’ mission has been to help ignite business creation, enhance service delivery of businesses within the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), and ensure the BID is aesthetically pleasing, clean, and safe at all times.

During 2020 as the City of Wilmington navigated the phased COVID-19 reopening process, DTV continued to guide the creation of small business support programs and offered services to help Downtown BID restaurants, retail shops, arts organizations, and businesses welcome back customers and clients in a safe, socially distant manner to once again thrive. 

The grant from Bank of America will be used to support DTV’s Main Street Wilmington Program, which provides the following services to the Downtown BID:

  • Improve the façades and signage of businesses operating in Wilmington's Downtown BID and ensure authentic restorations of historic buildings by working with the City of Wilmington's Design Review and Preservation Commission and local historical nonprofits, such as the Delaware Historical Society

  • Boost economic development of businesses operating in the Wilmington Downtown BID by providing COVID-19 focused marketing, event support, and event creation, such as Curbside Wilmington and the Dine Downtown Deal

  • Continue with the visual transformation of Wilmington's Downtown BID to create a vibrant and visually pleasing shopping, dining, and living area through cleaning efforts

  • Facilitate connections between civic officials, developers, and business owners to support strong economic growth and investment in the Downtown Business Improvement District.

This grant is part of Bank of America's philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs, medical response, and workforce development for individuals and families, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic; and Downtown Visions could not be more proud to receive this monetary support for Downtown Wilmington DE.