Committee members of the Annual National Shrimp Festival recently conducted a check presentation to commemorate the donation of over $25,000 in tips raised for local charities and organizations during the 50th Annual Festival held this past October.

Annually, volunteers manning the concessions tents choose to contribute all tip earnings from their shifts to a designated organization, as indicated on donation buckets placed around the tent.

"This is the most money we've ever raised, and we wanted representatives from these organizations to come celebrate this milestone with us," said Sam Washington, Concessions Co-Chair for the Festival.

The donation breakdown was as follows:

• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo - $1,941
• All About Dogs Coastal Rescue - $611
• American Cancer Society - $476
• Baldwin County Humane Society - $2,709
• Child Advocacy Center - $3,850
• Family Promise - $3,402
• Gulf Shores High School Band - $306
• Krewe De Cirque - $389
• Maidens of Mischief - $4,217
• Mystic Order of Shiners - $554
• L.A. Parrot Heads (money raised for Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama) - $2,097
• Rotary Club of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach - $203
• Share The Beach - $2,173
• South Baldwin Community Theatre - $1,375
• South Baldwin Newcomer’s Club - $1,609
• St. Jude - $193

Volunteer opportunities for the 51st festival will open at www.myshrimpfest.com in early 2024. The 51st Annual National Shrimp Festival is scheduled to take place October 10-13, 2024.