14th Annual Charity Crab Feed
Cupertino De Anza Lions and Sunnyvale Sunrise Rotary Club
They all came — 595++ people — to the 14th Annual Charity Crab Feed, organized by the Cupertino DeAnza Lions and the Sunnyvale Sunrise Rotarians. Prominent guests included the IPDG Marlene Duffin and her husband, as well as Lion Bob Ferber, candidate for 2VDG for our district.
As last year, the event took place at the Community Hall of St. Williams Parish in Los Altos. Despite the continued economic crisis, tickets for the first seating were sold out long before Christmas, while there were a couple of tickets left over for the second seating.
As in previous years, the Fish Market restaurant delivered ocean-fresh crab, 2100 pounds of it, which was scrubbed, cleaned and iced by some 10 intrepid Lions and 5 Rotarians the day before.
Beer, music, and about $ 8,000 were donated to the cause, which helps keeping a healthy profit for both clubs, to be distributed to our dedicated charities and causes
After a few hours of smooth setup, the guests began to stream in, taking seats at the beautifully decorated tables, while listening to the Thrown Together Jazz Band which was in great form.
The kitchen was humming with numerous volunteers, preparing salads, cooking spaghetti, and baking garlic bread, while outside the hall, other volunteers, especially from the Fish Market, cooked the crab to perfection. Our servers this year were students of Monte Vista High; they were eager to help not only with waiting the tables, but also selling raffle tickets and cleaning up.
Over 20 raffle prizes went to some happy clients, while almost all silent auction items found a new owner.
After redecorating tables and a small break for the musicians, the volunteers enjoyed a slice or two of Pizza, before another crowd of almost 300 people showed up.
Again, our young helpers waited on the tables, sold raffle tickets, and keys to the lock box.
We thank the winners of the lockbox, who donated a total of $ 2, 000 to the victims of the Haitian earth quake.
A roaring thank you goes to all sponsors and volunteers of this event. Many of them already signed up for next year, including the volunteers of the Fish Market and the Band. The proceeds will be split with the Rotary Club, as usual, and will be distributed to our charitable causes.
Behind the scenes…
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