Big Weekend Helps Coastal Bays Near Goal

BERLIN - The combination of the Coastal Bays' triathlon on Saturday, Fager's Island charity cookout on Sunday and incredible local generosity has put Coastal Bays closer to their goal of raising $250,000 by Dec. 15.

In January an anonymous donor gave the Coastal Bays Program $500,000 with a pledge to give another $500,000 if the program could raise $250,000 by Dec. 15. The donor is matching every dollar raised with an additional $2 into the program's endowment fund at the Community Foundation.

Through September, the Coastal Bays Program had raised some $175,000 from donations of more than $5,000 from the Burbage Family, Eunice Sorin, the Nichols family in honor of Elaine Nichols, the Keith Campbell Foundation, Pam and Macky Stansell, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. Already giving more than $1,000 are the Ocean City and Berlin Optimists, Mike Truitt, Sonny Bloxom, Vera McCullough, Steve Taylor, Jerry and Patti Rohe, Kevin and Ryn Rohe, the Quillin Family Foundation, Rex Timmons, Reese and Joanne Cropper, Hugh and JL Cropper, and Beth Gismondi. On Saturday, the Coastal Bays Program edged closer to their goal when some 410 racers ascended on Public Landing to join 500 spectators and volunteers for the 8th Annual Osprey Sprint Triathlon. Over $30,000 was raised.

Triathlon contributors included Morgan Stanley, M&T Bank, Bahia Marina, Acre Mortgage, Ocean City Greene Turtle, OC Wasabi, Ocean City Chiropractic Clinic, Lower Shore Masonry, WLW Accounting, Phillips by the Sea, Beth Gismondi at Allstate Insurance, and Barcoding Inc.   

Derek Oskutis of Annapolis won the race with a record time of 1:01:54. Hollie Kenney, the first female finisher, from Baltimore crossed the finish line at 1:10:52.

The generosity of local residents and businesses spilled into Sunday when the Fager's Island 2nd Annual Charity Cookout to Benefit Coastal Bays brought in close to $20,000.

Auction items included a boatlift and its installation donated by Hi Tide Marine Construction and an off-shore fishing trip on the private vessel Pumpin' Hard donated by Danny Burt and Sunset Marina.

Other special auction items included a hardwood flooring project donated by OC Floor Gallery, Raven's tickets donated by Comcast Spotlight, a fishing kayak outfitted by Survival Products, a limited edition photograph by Jim Connolly, showcasing Riddle Farm, a Josh Neuwiller-guided hunting trip, a behind-the-scenes outing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, an $800 painting by Charlene Abele and many additional gifts donated by Endless Summer and Chauncey's surf shops, The Green Room, Livelong Fitness, Ocean City Fishing Center, A Perfect Face, The Framing Corner, Galaxy 66, Marlin Moon Grill, DLITE, Jim Adcock, Raggamuffin, Handcrafted Jewelry by Keota, The Children's Book Garden, Coconut Kids, The Furniture House, Kim Ruarke, Jim Whaley, Snapdragon's, The Wine Rack, Seacrets, Tequila Mockingbird, M.R. Ducks, Harrison Hotels, Greene Turtle North and West OC, Mancini's, Nantucket's, OC Organics, Janet and Jeff Phillips, Fager's Island, Robin Walter's Salon and Day Spa, GitRDone Cleaning Service, Micky Fins, Marina Deck, Southside Deli, Bull on the Beach, Carraba's, Outback Steakhouse, Harborside Bar and Grill, Sukura, Captain's Galley, Rice House, Applebees, Watermen's, West Marine, Linda Busick, Mary Erickson-Woodruff, J. Conn Scott, Assateague Island National Seashore, Weedpro, Hilton Hotel, and the Kite Loft.