On Sunday morning the Greenport Maritime Festival kicked things off with Paul Drum’s Breakfast Fundraiser: A Mermaid and Pirate Experience. The fundraiser included a two-seating buffet at Front Street Station to benefit the newly formed Paul Drum Nautical Education Program. The program was formed in cooperation with the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation to raise funds to support and teach children safety about the surrounding waters of Greenport. Through this free program children will have the opportunity to learn hands on right from the experts about boating safety, ecological theories and receive unique lectures and programs.
The mastermind behind the fundraiser and Nautical Education Program is 29 year old Paul Drum. Paul, a basketball player, assistant restaurant manager, huge sports fan, and now philanthropist, living with Downs Syndrome paired up with Keturah Hurst, special events coordinator for the Maritime Festival, and foundation board member Arlene Klein to get the ball rolling and together they created this phenomenal program and fundraiser.
Paul was even proclaimed mayor for the day on Friday night at the Land and Sea Gala by Greenport Mayor David Nyce.
On the day of the fundraiser Front Street Station was fully decked out in maritime fare. Nautical treasures were strewn around for participants to enjoy and take in as they feasted on a delectable meal. The buffet style feast included scrambled eggs, French toast, crispy bacon and some colorful characters! Lovely mermaids and pirates could be seen patrolling the restaurant and taking pictures with guests as they filed in.
YouTube singing sensation and anti-bullying activist Meredith O’Connor made an appearance and performed some of her music, including her powerful song with a great message, “The Game,” at the event. Meredith even took some time out to chat with LongIsland.com about her experiences with bullying and her passion for the anti-bullying movement. “I want victims of bullying to know it’s nothing they did wrong,” says Meredith, “We should embrace everyone for their differences.” “It’s those differences that make us just that much more special.”
The fundraiser even caught the attention of the New York Knicks who joined along with other sponsors, like LongIsland.com, to support the event/program.
