For Immediate Release September 07, 2023

Eight women stand side by side in front of an emergency department.

Claws for a Cause Committee members outside UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown are, from left: Laurie Plemons, Martha Baker, Stephanie Bryan, Tracey Llongo, Mary Windsor, Lisa Lisle, Mary Alice Vanhoy and Melissa Svehla. 

Final preparations are now under way for "Claws for a Cause," a crab feast fundraiser set for Thursday, September 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fisherman's Crab Deck in Grasonville. The annual event will benefit patient care services at University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown.

Tickets are $100 for adults and $20 for children 13 and under. The buffet will feature all-you-can-eat steamed crabs, fried chicken, pork barbeque and assorted sides. The event will also include a silent auction featuring items such as a raw seafood bar feast for 20 and Baltimore Ravens tickets.

"The Claws for a Cause crab feast has become a wonderful tradition in this community, bringing people out to support our emergency center and the quality care we provide," said Mary Alice Vanhoy, Manager, UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown. "Over the years, the Claws event has raised funds that have enabled us to purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and to make needed equipment upgrades."

Proceeds from this year's event will fund the purchase of two electric recliner lift chairs. It will also help fund staff training necessary for Geriatric Emergency Department accreditation for UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown.

This year's event sponsors are Whiting-Turner, Maryland Primary Care, Benedict A. Andrew American Legion Post #296, Kent Island American Legion Post #278, R. Baker & Son, PepUp, DiDonato Property Management, Central Sod Farms, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty, Shore United Bank, Kathy & Nicholas Deoudes, Tidewater Anesthesia Associates, Laurie Plemons, Chesapeake Investment Planning LLC, Kent Island B.P.O.E. #2576, Sara Jane Davidson, Queenstown Bank, Benoit Development LLC, Kelly Distributors, Arthur B. Cecil, Art & Karen Oertel, Pixel Print & Post and Gary and Sonia Mangum.

Since its opening in 2010, more than 200,000 patients have been treated for acute illnesses, injuries and trauma at UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown. The Center is staffed by board certified emergency medicine physicians, experienced nurses, radiology technicians and medical technologists.

For more information about Claws for a Cause sponsorships, or to purchase tickets, please visit umshoreregional.org/Claws-for-a-Cause or email stephanie.bryan@umm.edu.