On Tuesday, September 25, Anna Maria Oyster Bar and other Anna Maria Island area business owners presented a check for $25,081.90. Funds were raised through the Save Our Shores initiative, including AMOB’s S.O.S. Margarita and the Long Table Dinner event on August 26, 2018.
The proceeds were presented to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) at the BeachHouse Restaurant. Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota plans to start new tests within the next six weeks, which will continually monitor and research red tide throughout the year.
Over the past five weeks, the Anna Maria Oyster Bars sold 1,333 Save Our Shores (S.O.S) Margaritas in order to raise funds for the donation. The cocktails were sold for $5, with half of the proceeds donated to the Save Our Shores initiative – total funds raised through cocktail sales totaled $3,332.50.
At the Long Table Dinner event, we partnered with our local restaurant friends to raise awareness and donations for red tide relief and to show that the business and tourism industry in Anna Maria Island is still thriving. 169 attendees enjoyed a beautiful beachfront meal while they watched a stunning Anna Maria Island sunset- all without any signs of red tide.
Between our guests at the event, our amazing sponsors and our S.O.S. Margarita sales, $25,081.90 was raised to go toward red tide relief. The hospitality workers in the area have been struggling to make money since the red tide bloom, and the Long Table Dinner helped us show our guests that the local restaurants are still thriving and open for business.
As for now, Anna Maria Oyster Bar is still offering Red Tide Relief deals including $5 all you can eat pancakes, $5 Bud Light pitchers and a $5 taco special that includes two fish tacos and a margarita. Take a look at our website to see specific location restrictions.
We want to thank our amazing guests and friends for their support during our Red Tide Relief campaigns and their patience during this time. Red Tide is, unfortunately, a natural occurrence — it happens, and it’ll happen again. Keep in mind that we are all in this together!
