An Oyster Ball in Heckscher Park

Save the Great South Bay held their annual Oyster Ball on the shore of Heckscher Park last Saturday, Sept. 12. Thrown as a fundraiser for the  nonprofit, Save the Great South Bay’s (STGSB) proceeds will go towards their mission of protecting the Great South Bay’s water quality.

From 6 to 10 p.m., guests could enjoy freshly caught oysters from local businesses Red Tiger Seafood and Little A’s Oysters. Tickets were $200 per person, with available sponsorships stretching from $1,000 to $50,000. A raffle featuring baskets from a guitar signed by Dee Snider, nautical-themed artwork from local artists, and gift cards to local businesses were all up for grabs.

Steel drums kept the coastal atmosphere, thanks to Nassau-based band L.I. Steel Drum Band, while Rich Mahogany played for those on the dance floor. Guests enjoyed cocktails, Blue Point oysters, and light snacks as the evening began, with tables set up for guests to drink along the Great South Bay. A live auction later in the night kept guests bidding to win. Offerings were varied, with some of the prizes being New York Islanders box tickets, a three-night boatel stay and oyster farm tour, and brunch for six at Captain Bill’s and a private boat cruise.

As appetizers were served, STGSB director Rhianna Q. Roddy welcomed guests with some news. 

“It is wonderful, really, really, really wonderful to look around this room tonight and see so many friends, old and new, who care so deeply about our bay. And guess what?

We are sold out again. Congratulations, ladies and gentlemen,” Roddy announced to the room full of supporters. Roddy thanked the ball’s many sponsors, which included LIPA, IMEG, Optimum, Fire Island Boatel, the Ferriola family, Rechler Equity, Morgan Stanley, Winter Bros., The Snapper Inn, and many more.   

STGSB’s president Todd Shaw then shared some words for the crowd. “I need you to look around this room. Everyone here is here for the same reason. The bay is our home.

It fed our grandparents, it raised our kids, it’s the reason why we call the South Shore our home, and right now it needs us. Algal blooms, nitrogen pollution, vanishing habitat. They’re not distant threats.

They’re here. They’re urgent. And they will not wait.

That’s why Save the Great South Bay even exists. And that’s why you’re here tonight,” Shaw began. “So let me tell you what your support has done over the past year.

“Citizen scientists are now testing water at 25 sites, giving our bay’s first-ever letter grade report card. It’s the most complete real-time picture of the bay we have ever had.

“Our oyster project has planted more than 650,000 oysters this year.

Nature’s own water filters, back into its waters, right here. All grown in our eight oyster gardens tended weekly by hundreds of volunteers. A Creek Defender now stands guard for clean water in all 16 towns and villages along the Great South Bay, together organizing 1,000 volunteers, pulling 70,000 pounds of garbage, trash out of our creeks and out of our tributaries. And perhaps, most importantly, thousands of students have learned why this bay matters and how to protect it. That’s the next generation of stewards already on the job.”

Shaw concluded by announcing how the STGSB  recently joined the Waterkeeper’s Alliance, a movement of over 300 waterkeepers protecting waterways around the world. The packed room gave a round of applause, showing the community’s appreciation for Save the Great South Bay’s work for our bodies of water across the island.