By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Jan. 23, 2020) The Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee will hold its 20th annual Italian Feast and Silent Auction at Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 on Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 5-8 p.m.

“We’ve done an Italian feast for years and we’ve done them in different places … at halls, we’ve been at Nick’s House of Ribs and now we’re going to be going back to the Elks to do it,” Donna Greenwood, chairwoman of the Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee, said.

The organization is raising money for its Play It Safe project, which encourages graduating high school students to spend their senior weeks in the resort safely.

Some Play It Safe activities include a pizza-eating contest, dance parties on the beach, yoga, T-shirt tie-dying, Speedworld Go-Karts at Jolly Roger Amusements, karaoke on the beach, mini golf tournaments and other sport-related events.

“Our mission for the past 30 years has been to encourage the young high school graduates who visit Ocean City in June to make informed, healthy choices and to have responsible fun without the use of alcohol or other drugs,” Greenwood said.

The fundraiser will include handmade pasta – both original and spinach – as well as sauces and meatballs made by Chef Nick Ruggieri. There will also be salads and desserts available as well.

In addition, there will be a silent auction with prizes such as wine and gift baskets, and gift certificates. The auction will close at 7:45 p.m.

Tickets will be sold at the door. Admission for adults is $15, and $6 for children ages 4-9. Children 4 and under get in free.

“The project that we do benefits not only the young graduates who come, but we feel like it benefits the town because we try to keep these children entertained and let them have some fun where they don’t step on anybody’s toes,” Greenwood said. “It entertains them, it keeps them busy and prevents them from making poor choices, we hope.”

Despite rain blighting several events, the 30th annual Play It Safe program that concluded on June 14, attracted 5,526 high school graduates from the class of 2019. They included graduates from Maryland and 11 other states.

Play It Safe is on pace to eclipse 200,000 participants this year.

Play It Safe is a partnership between the Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee, Worcester County Health Department and the Town of Ocean City.

For more information, call Greenwood at 410-289-7060. To learn more about Play It Safe, visit www.playitsafeoceancity.com.