SEBASTIAN – Two of the four beneficiaries from the 2010 Sebastian Clambake and Lagoon Festival have received about $16,000 in funds.
The American Legion and By the River Senior Housing were recently presented checks by the Sebastian Clambake Foundation.
The Sebastian Little League and the Sebastian River High School Rowing Club will also receive their checks, once the projects for which they requested the funds get started, according to Clambake Foundation President Anjani Cirillo.
In all, the Clambake Foundation expects to award the four organizations a total of about $38,500.
By the River, which received $7,920, plans to use the funds to install screened-in porches for the residents.
“Now seniors…can more safely and comfortably enjoy the outdoors,” said Sita Gange Harrison, public relations coordinator for By the River. “It was a welcomed gift.”
The Sebastian American Legion No. 189 will use its $8,153 to make improvements to its clubhouse.
The Clambake Foundation decided to divvy up the funds in such a way that By the River and the Sebastian Little League knew how much money they would receive and the remainder of the proceeds be split 60-40 between the Rowing Club and the American Legion.
The Sebastian Little League is in line to receive $10,000. Little League officials have plans to renovate the concession stand at the Barber Street Sports Complex as well as install lightning detectors that will serve a larger area within the complex, not just the ball fields.
The Sebastian River High School Rowing Club will receive 60 percent of the remaining proceeds – after By the River and the Little League’s funds are distributed.
That 60 percent equates to $12,431, which will be used to help fund the first phase of building a boathouse. The club currently operates out of a large shed-like structure on the C-54 canal at the Indian River/Brevard county line.
Along with making deliveries of Clambake Foundation checks to the organizations, members are seeking slogan entries for the 2011 Sebastian Clambake and Lagoon Festival.
Last year’s slogan, by The Salvation Army’s John Corapi, was “Uncle Clam Wants You!” The year before was “There’s No Business Like Clam Business.” And before that, it was “Clam Up & Chowder Down.”
The slogan for the 2011 festival will be used to inspire the latest crop of banners, shirts and other Clambake memorabilia.
For information on how to apply to be one of this year’s beneficiaries or to submit a slogan entry, email sebastianclambake@hotmail.com or visit www.SebastianClambake.org.
