Letters to Editor
Letters to the Editor March 4, 2010
By
Mar 3, 2010 - 1:08:49 PM

Daniel Island Oyster Roast was an afternoon of giving, awareness and fun

After a long awaited reprieve from "Old Man Winter" and anticipation about the first winter event for the Daniel Island community, over 300 guests from Daniel Island and the Charleston community attended this year’s Annual Daniel Island Oyster Roast. The evening could not have been more perfect as the sun set over the river and the warm temperatures started to cool for this year’s event. The weather was ideal, and the Pavilion at Pierce Park venue, accentuated this delightful affair overlooking the river’s picturesque marsh view. For the first time in the events history, the Daniel Island Property Owners Association aligned with ECCO (East Cooper Community Outreach), this year’s beneficiary, on Saturday, February 20, and the partnership proved to be a win-win for the event organizers and its guests.

It was apparent that oysters were the main draw to the event, where Southern charm and gentility were pervasive! It was great seeing all of those die-hard oyster lovers jockeying themselves just at the right time to be able to find that open niche at the Oyster Roast tables that were full from start to finish. 

It was truly a community event, with the Rotary Club of Daniel Island present, promoting their upcoming Charity Duck Race, which ECCO is also one of the beneficiaries of again this year. Daniel Island residents and owners of Velocity Sports Performance of Mt. Pleasant, Dirk and Tracy DeWitt and their staff, provided a great time for the kids and their parents with field events and games to expand some of that pent up winter energy. Dixieland Delights Catering was truly a ‘delight’ to all who attended with delicious oysters and old favorites like mac and cheese, homemade chili and hot dogs. Local band, Just Doesn’t Matter, rocked the stage and entertained the crowd by playing everyone’s favorite party music and Olive Photobooth was a huge hit with lots of fun and zany shots taken by kids on up to grandparents. And to top all of that off, we were able to help an outstanding organization and its cause at a very affordable price to our attendees for a ‘one price covers all’ oyster roast.

Ann Ward, Director of Development for ECCO had mutual compliments about the event. "ECCO was honored to be a part of an event like this and grateful for the growing relationship with Daniel Island. Not only do we receive the generosity of the Daniel Island Property Owners Association, but we were able to introduce so many new people to ECCO. When I checked the weather report earlier in the week, I was astounded to see that Saturday was going to be sunny, in the 60s with zero percent chance of rain! I called Barbara and we agreed this could be the best event ever!  There was just such a happy and light atmosphere to the whole event. Everyone loved the food and the music, and people seemed to be engrossed in joyful conversations all over the place. While I was weaving in and out of the crowds, people kept stopping me and saying, I have been wanting to volunteer at ECCO, I am coming by this week.  Sharing our mission with the community is what allows us to continue and grow our programs. The more people we get involved, then the larger we can build our organization. Being a part of the DIPOA Annual Oyster roast meant so much to us, and we are grateful for both the charitable donation from the Daniel Island Community Fund (DICF) and the new friends ECCO made that beautiful lowcountry evening last week."

It just worked out perfectly and both I and Ward were quite happy with the results of the joint venture. This was a fun event at an incredible price for an outstanding cause!

Thank you to the companies and individuals who dedicated their support financially or through in-kind services. Through their generous giving, the Oyster Roast organizers were able to maximize this year’s event especially in the areas of entertainment and equipment rentals.