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Surf And Turf Event Benefits Swim Team
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Oakdale swimmers of varying ages will be present to serve guests at the Oakdale Swim Team 2017 Surf and Turf fundraiser. The annual event will be hosted on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Gene Bianchi Community Center. No-host bar begins at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m. For tickets and information contact Board President Crystal Costa 209-505-2786. Leader File Photo

While the weather right now would make for less than desirable swimming conditions, board members of the Oakdale Swim Team are preparing for the start of yet another memorable season.

On Saturday, Feb. 4 the local team will host the seventh Annual Swim Team ‘feed,’ now known commonly as the Surf and Turf Fundraiser. The 2017 event will be hosted at Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.

A no host bar begins at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m. Dinner includes: unlimited crab, tri-tip, pasta, salad and bread. Tickets are $50 each and are offered for pre-sale by calling Board President Crystal Costa at 209-505-2786.

“This event has sold out in past years,” Melanie Shatswell, Board Vice-President and event co-coordinator said, noting that of the close to 400 tickets available, approximately 100 remain for purchase.

Oakdale Swim Team is currently comprised of three categories: a year round division, USA California Gold; an adult division, USA Masters; and a recreation league, Oakdale Gators. Between the three, the Oakdale Swim Team served close to 350 swimmers for 2016.

Shatswell shared that proceeds from the annual event go directly to the swim team to aid with covering fees and coaches’ salaries. The event earned a total of $23,000 in 2016 from ticket sales, live and silent auction, a dessert auction and gun raffle. This year the group will offer a hand gun with tactical gear for the live auction. A total of 400 tickets will be offered at $10 a ticket for that drawing. The winner need not be present to win.

Now serving in her third year as a volunteer, Shatswell noted the tremendous community support from H-B, Medlen’s House of Beef and Stockton-based Seafood Express as being instrumental in the event’s success.

“I’ve had people say, this is the best crab they’ve ever had,” she said. “But if crab is not their thing, we have plenty of tri-tip and pasta, too.”

It’s always a fun evening, Shatswell added.

“The best part for me is the kids work it,” she continued, adding that swimmers of all ages and levels are on hand to help serve dinner to the attendees. “They have a blast. I like to see the kids there, working it and just having fun