WILLIAMSBURG — Enjoy a day of oysters and Brunswick stew, while helping local families with infants and toddlers.
Child Development Resources (CDR) will hold its second annual Oyster Roast on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Lawn of The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.
CDR is a nonprofit organization that serves families with infants and toddlers in Williamsburg, James City County, York County and Poquoson.
The organization provides resources to families in the community with children who have developmental delays or disabilities, and other risk factors.
CDR first introduced the Oyster Roast in 2019 as a way to invite a different demographic than other big fundraisers the organization holds.
Nancy Wigley, CDR’s special events coordinator, noted that the organization’s other events, including an annual race and auction, are more family-friendly. The oyster roast was intended to be an event for the grownups that people who have not previously been involved with CDR would want to attend.
“It worked beautifully,” Wigley said. “About 30% of the tickets sold in 2019 were to people who had not supported CDR in the past, so that was a really good indicator to us that we were on the right track.”
Canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and reimagined for 2021, the event will include food, drinks and live music from Sammy Lee.
Wigley said that CDR’s goal is to make around $35,000 from the event with ticket sales and donations.
A ticket include two dozen oysters, raw or roasted, from multiple Chesapeake Bay oyster farms, barbecue, Brunswick Stew and clam chowder.
Wigley said that all profits raised from CDR’s special events go directly to critical funding for specialized therapies and early intervention to babies and young children.
The event is limited to 300 people this year to give attendees space to spread out and feel safe.
Wigley said that holding these events to raise money for the families and their children is meaningful.
“It makes it a lot easier when you know what the end result is gong to be and you see these children and hear what a difference we made,” she said.
Tickets for the Oyster Roast can be purchased here.
