Volunteers delivered dozens of bushels of piping-hot crabs to diners at the American Legion Laurel Post 60 on July 26. The feast was the first of two that the post will hold this year to benefit veterans affairs and local youth and community-building programs.
The event drew about 200 people from Laurel and beyond, including District resident Jimmy Carter, who said it’s his second year attending the crab feasts
“[I] always love to support the American Legion, and I know they do great things, so I’m always happy to . . . participate in the raffles and just come out and have a good time with the crabs,” Carter said. “Everybody here has a great attitude, so it’s always fun.”
Martin Caslow, the post’s Sons of the American Legion finance officer and the event’s chairman, said the crab feast is the group’s largest single-day fundraiser.
“The turnout is obviously very nice [and] it’s fun to be a part of,” Caslow said. “I’m pleased to see the event and to take part.”
The post’s American Legion Auxiliary unit, which includes families of veterans, will host the second crab feast in October.
“We’ll all be here helping them, too,” Caslow said. “Everybody helps and pitches in [with] each other.”
Laurel resident Andy Buckley, whose parents Charley and Patty are members at the post, said he enjoys attending the crab feasts with them and his wife and sister.
“We’ve come multiple years now, so every year is a pretty good time,” Buckley said, adding that the food is “always good.”
Post 60 Commander Josephine Lohman, who attended the July event, attributed the strong turnout to the post’s outreach.
“We were also very fortunate with social media,” Lohman said. “We just advertise all over — mostly Facebook — and that really draws people in.”
Lohman said that even as high market prices for crabs pose challenges, the feasts still raise ample funds for the community.
“We’ve been fortunate that it’s still a good money-maker,” Lohman said.
Laurel resident Sharon Blackstone said she’s attended the feasts for the past five years.
“It’s been awesome,” Blackstone said. “The crabs are delicious [and] everyone’s very nice here; that’s what makes me come back.”
Carter said he enjoys the food and fellowship but added he especially appreciates the cause.
“It’s a real comforting feeling because you can trust that it’s actually going where . . . you expect it to go,” Carter said of the fundraising. “There’s no doubt where the funds go and it’s reassuring.”
Lohman said it was encouraging to see the event attract a large group of people eager to make a difference.
“Actually, it’s overwhelming because we do a lot in the community,” Lohman said. “It’s really heartwarming.”