BMH ‘Nets’ More than $45,000 at Final Clambake

The Brattleboro Memorial Hospital 25th and Final Clambake & Auction was held on the hospital grounds on Saturday, July 17, 2010. More than 450 people came out for this bittersweet goodbye to a very successful fundraising event that spanned 25 years—this year “netting” the hospital over $45,000.

We would like to thank the many local businesses and individuals who supported not only this final event, but have supported this event for 25 years. So many businesses, organizations and citizens have been extremely generous in their donations of auction items, sponsorships, advertising and in volunteering their time.

We would like to especially recognize our media sponsors of this final event who provided tremendous promotion:  the Brattleboro Reformer, WTSA, WKVT, and BCTV. Thank you very much for your wholehearted support.

Many memories from Clambakes past were shared through photos and stories. A slide show of more than 500 photos from the past 24 years was exhibited for guests to view. The commemorative program book included old photos as well as quotes and stories of Clambakes past from a number of community members.

Highlights of the event included a spirited (and impromptu) bidding war for a 4 foot cutout of BMH President and CEO Barry Beeman – his wife, Kathy was the lucky winner. A 25th anniversary cake with sparkler candles was lit to celebrate and recognize the many, many, many volunteers who have worked and supported the Clambake. MORE

In thinking about this being the final event the Director of Development, Ellen Smith said,  “It is always hard to say good bye, even when you know it is time. The Clambake has been a wonderful community event for many years and it has brought together groups of people from throughout the area to support the hospital they love. It is sad to see it go, but it is also time to move on to the next chapter and next exciting event. We don’t yet know what that will be. We will continue with the Giving From The Heart Gala in the winter and will be building on Touch A Truck (this year September 11th) but we haven’t made any decisions about what might replace the Clambake. We don’t want to do an event just to do an event. We want to find something that all of the community can get excited about and we are still trying to figure that out…so stay tuned.”

Over its 25 year history, nearly 14,000 tickets were sold, and BMH has netted over $865,000 for various programs.

Once again, thank you to one and all making the 25th and Final Clambake & Auction a success. Guest emcee Trish Hain summed it up best:  “While it is sad that this glorious event has reached its end, all who have been involved at any level over the last 25 years should take pride in the fact that you helped SOMEONE in their time of pain or grief by improving Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's patient care. It is likely that it may be sometime before another fund raiser sparks the imagination and muscle of our community as the BMH Clambake & Auction did for a quarter of a century!”