Ocean City Fishing Club Open House Attracts 885 People, 230 Pounds in Donated Food

Ocean City, NJ -- “This is the highlight of my vacation,” one woman told the Ocean City Fishing Club as she left their final Open House of the 2016 summer season on Thursday evening, Aug. 4.

It was one of many positive comments made by the 885 visitors who toured the club’s pier, snapped countless photos, and watched surf casting demonstrations during a two-hour period.

At the club’s request, they also brought with them 230 pounds of non-perishable food and $420 in cash donations for the Ocean City Community FoodCupboard.

Club president Augie Conte, Jr., First Vice President Dick Shepherd, and the official Ocean City mascot, Martin Z. Mollusk, were on hand to greet visitors.

The free event, which began in 2013 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club’s founding, has become a popular addition to the city’s “Family Night on the Boardwalk” each summer.

At the club’s first Open House of the season on July 21, 660 people donated 145 pounds of food and $231 in cash.

The attached images were provided by the Ocean City Fishing Club:

Photo #1: Five-year-old Lyla Kolb, of King of Prussia, PA, adds her contribution to feed the needy during the August 4 Open House at the Ocean City Fishing Club.

Photo #2: Ocean City Fishing Club President Augie Conte, Jr., center, and First Vice President Dick Shepherd meet Open House visitors inside the clubhouse.