WEST OCEAN CITY — Wenches loaded with gold, an Animal House run amuck, local philanthropists held captive, oh my! The doubloons could fly when the Sunset Grille is overrun by pirates at the Fifth Annual Pirate Party fundraiser on May 17.
All proceeds from the event will be used for Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services’ Lower Shore CASA program.
CASA, also known as the Court Appointed Special Advocate program, operates within Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, which helped 77 children in the area last year, according to Program Director Brigitte Saulsbury.
The program has 45 trained and vetted advocates, who report on behalf of abused or neglected children in court. From 5-8 p.m., revelers will party to the music of Philadelphia pop band Animal House, plunder the complimentary buffet, challenge Lady Luck in a 50/50 raffle, bid on prizes in both a silent auction and “gold bar” treasure trove, and enjoy happy hour prices until 7 p.m.
The 2013 party sponsors include Sunset Grille, D3 Corp, Insurance Management Group (IMG), and the Duckaneer Pirate Ship.
A $10 donation gets you in the door and attendees are encouraged to come in their best pirate garb. Stefanie Gordy, director of development and donor relations, said since the organization is not a state run agency, “We rely very heavily on the generosity of the community.”
Silent auction items will include photo sessions and 11-inch by 14-inch photos by Kimberly Tucker Photography and Nextwave Studios; two half-hour tattoo sessions at Independent Tattoo; and gift certificates and rounds of golf at Ruark Golf.
Chocolate “gold treasure bars” will be offered throughout the night and will include chances for prizes including a half-hour massage and half-hour and facial at Atlantic Retreat, a two-hour kayaking rental for two and Ayres Creek Adventures, jewelry from Bruder Hill; skate, skim, and boogie boards, from K Coast Surf Shop; a $100 gift certificate from Liquid Assets; and four $50 gift certificates from South Moon Under.
The highlight of the evening, according to the organizers, will be when several local “Pirate Outlaws” are loaded aboard the infamous Duckaneer Pirate Ship and set sail behind Assateague Island. Pirates must buy their way off the boat for a $500 donation, or be forced to “walk the plank.”
According to Gordy, this year’s pirates will include Ed Battisfore, Jeri Clapsadle, Katie Coates, Claire Desautels, Annemarie Dickerson, Gary Dutton, Trey Eversman (aka: OC Sparrow), Ashely Furbay, Kevin Gregory, Lisa Hall, Karen Hughes, Jim Kyger, Anita Pascucci and Alex Wiliams.
Additional information about the event is available by calling Stefanie Gordy at 410-641-4598 or by e-mail at sgordy@gowoyo.org.