The Seafood News
Random Acts of Seafood: Weathervane Passionate About Helping Worthy Causes
What could possibly make treating yourself to some lobster and clam chowder even more enjoyable and satisfying than it already is? Well, at Weathervane Seafood Restaurants it’s the knowledge that you are also supporting an ecosystem of charitable and community-building endeavors that are vital to the mission of this much-loved, family-owned seafood business.
From their annual charity golf tournament to their support of the autumn Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, the Weathervane family has always been focused on giving back to the community with special events and initiatives, both great and small.
Golf Event Has Raised Over $130K for Make-A-Wish
Now in its 26th year, the annual Weathervane Seafood Charity Golf Tournament is set for Tuesday, Sept. 12, at The Oaks in Somersworth. Organizers are expecting 140 golfers at this year’s tournament, a private event that over the years has raised an estimated $130,000 for Make-A-Wish Maine and Make-A-Wish NH.
Thanks to the generosity of participating golfers and vendors, the goal is to raise another $15,000 this year — with entry fees, raffle tickets, mulligans and putting strings, a 50/50 putting contest and more.
This year, Dover-based RF Hunter has established a calendar raffle that is open to all — 30 chances to win for just $5, with prizes that include lobster dinners, cash and gift cards. RF Hunter has assisted with the tournament for a number of years, closing the company for the day so all of their employees can be there to golf or to pitch in as a volunteer.
Proceeds support Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition — kids like Derek, an Exeter High student whose wish was to meet NASCAR hero Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the Daytona 500. According to his mom, the experience meant the world to Derek, who died of a brain tumor just eight weeks after his VIP trip to the iconic NASCAR event.
“I am so proud that Weathervane has supported Make-A-Wish for all these years and look forward to supporting them in the future so they can continue to grant wishes like his,” said Weathervane Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Gagner.
Additional sponsors include: Eastern Propane, Sysco NNE, F.W. Bryce, EcoLab, Blount, MMEMIC, BlendPak, Nathan Weschler & Co., Baker Commodities, McCain, Native Maine, Ispwich Shellfish, Westminster Bakers, Coca-Cola, Hanover Insurance, New England Coffee, P. Gagnon and Son, Dowling Corp., Sidehill Farm and TriMark.
5,000 Cups of Clam Chowder, Please
That’s the standing order for the annual Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk. This year’s event is Sunday, Sept. 24, and once again a team from Weathervane will be at the finish line at Copley Square ladling up 5,000 cups of their signature clam chowder for the walkers — some traversing a full marathon (26.2 miles) or half-marathon and others hitting the pavement for a 10K or 5K jaunt.
Last year, some 9,400 participants and 1,000 volunteers raised over $8.7 million for patient care and innovative cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The annual autumn event has raised nearly $120 million for Dana-Farber since 1989 and Weathervane has supported the cause for over 25 years.
Once again, global food distributor Sysco is providing a refrigerated truck to help transport the chowder to Boston. At the finish line, Weathervane servers use propane burners and 100-quart pots to make sure each creamy cup of Bea’s Clam Chowder is piping hot and brimming with fresh-dug clams.
Claws for a Cause, Lobster Lore and More
Each year Weathervane also donates thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to worthy charities, and each Weathervane location is encouraged to support local events and causes.
The Chowdah for Charity program is a fun way for area nonprofits to raise funds by selling Bea’s Famous Clam Chowdah at events. Weathervane Claws for a Cause certificates — redeemable for lobster dinners — are often donated to local raffles or auctions.
There is also a Seafood Makes Cents program in which charities can earn funds by encouraging their supporters to dine at Weathervane on a designated date; Weathervane then donates 20% of the food and beverage receipts to the participating organization.
In addition to these programs, Weathervane supports Senior Clambake events in several towns and helps serve dinners to the less fortunate several times a year in conjunction with Table of Plenty. The list goes on with sponsorships of youth sports teams and local festivals.
Giving back to the community is part of the Weathervane way — dating back nearly half a century to 1969 when Ray and Bea Gagner started the company with a friendly little seafood shack in Kittery. Their grandson Jeremy Gagner (seen here sharing the Weathervane story) is proud to lead his team in carrying forward the family tradition.
