- April 19, 2024
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Teen volunteers Will Morton, Harry Schofield, Maddy Schofield, Park Dietz, Finn Johnson, Grace Johnson, Tommy Johnson and Delainey Deitz
Esther Visuna, Jeffrey Schaefer of event sponsor Ace Hardware, Sarasota Bay Watch president Larry Stults and Sarasota Bay Watch board members Al Jeffrey and Jeff Birnbach
Dawn Drost and Laksamee Weilage
Debbie Dietz and Traci Schofield
Ian and Hillary McNeil, Susie Schugg, Laurie Birnbach and Charly Schugg
Doug and Debbie Jenninges
Event emcee Bob Harrigan of ABC 7 and Sarasota Bay Watch president Larry Stults
A silent auction was set up in the main foyer of the Sarasota Yacht Club. In a separate room, a Chinese auction was held.
Cathie and Mike Hawkins
Before dinner, the 170 attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour.
A Chinese auction, raffle and silent auction were set up during Scallopalooza’s cocktail hour.
Laura Martin and Sarasota Bay Watch Program Director Ronda Ryan
Before dinner, the 170 attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour.
This year, Scallopalooza had a name change: This year’s event was titled Scallopalooza: It’s Clamtastic!
An information table was set up with information about the Sarasota Bay Watch’s efforts as guests signed in at the 6th annual Scallopalooza on Sept. 24.
Mote Marine Laboratory employees Ryan Schloessler, Sheri Barton, Carl Luer and Lisa Angely
Samantha and Nick Dzembo
Whitney and Matt Baer and Dr. Bruce and Sue Barber
Pam Hemmel and Christine Sket
Dodie and Chuck Mash
Mike Hawkins, Laura Pasternak and Matt Yahraus
David and Jill Campbell
Jenn Flanders and Ashley Foxworthy
Volunteers Delainey Dietz and Grace Johnson
Kelley Calloway and Daniel and Stephanie Delatorre
Sarasota Bay Watch board member Ross Windom and Alison and Morgan O’Donoghue
Serge and Roxanne Jorgenson
The 6th annual event was renamed Scallopalooza: It's Clamtastic this year to honor the Sarasota Bay Watch's expansion into clam restoration.
With the recent bout of red tide affecting Sarasota Bay, it was fitting that this year’s Scallopalooza: It’s Clamtastic! benefited more than scallop restoration efforts.
The sixth annual Sarasota Bay Watch fundraiser took place Sept. 24 at the Sarasota Yacht Club. It is the group’s only fundraiser of the year.
Sarasota Bay Watch President Larry Stults said the group would be expanding its restoration efforts to southern hardshell clams, a species that is resistant to red tide and whose growth would reduce red tide blooms in the bay. The expansion isn’t in response to this year’s bout of red tide, but the timing is working in the group’s favor.
“Clams used to be here in abundance, and they’re not,” Stults said. “And they should be.”
A dozen teen volunteers greeted the 170 attendees and sold raffle tickets.
Stults said the event and restoration efforts are opportunities for the organization and community to teach tomorrow’s leaders that the community is Sarasota Bay Watch’s lifeblood.
“It’s gratifying for us, but nice for the community to express their appreciation for the bay,” he said.
This year's event raised $28,500. All of that money will help the Sarasota Bay Watch continue it's scallop restoration and expand into its clam restoration.
