Vertical Oyster Gardens Assembly Volunteers Needed for Super Build Work Day June 28 in Ormond Beach

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - June 5, 2025 - PRLog -- Oysters for My Neighborhood is calling for volunteers to help break their own record at the Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) Super Build Work Day on Saturday, June 28th, from 9 AM to noon at River Lily Inn, 558 Riverside Dr., Holly Hill.

The ambitious goal is to build 500 VOGs in a single day, surpassing their current record of 420. If achieved, this one-day effort will provide enough Vertical Oyster Gardens to supply Ormond Beach docks for an entire year.

"We need lots of help to make this happen," said Chuck Gleichmann, who leads the initiative with other volunteers. "We're encouraging families, friends, clubs, scout troops, and students seeking volunteer hours to join us. Teams of six can even compete for prizes in this contest sponsored by Backwater Provisions Co."

Vertical Oyster Gardens are eco-friendly structures made from recycled oyster shells that provide habitat for juvenile oysters. Each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily, making VOGs powerful tools for improving water quality in local waterways. The structures are hung from docks and seawalls, where they create cleaner, healthier waters for generations to come.

Building on the success of the most recent previous build in February in Palm Coast, in which the event brought the community together for environmental restoration, this Super Build represents the largest single-day VOG assembly effort to date. In Ormond Beach alone, more than 600 VOGs have already been installed, demonstrating the significant impact of community-driven conservation.

The event organizers are seeking donations of 6-foot tables, coolers, and ice from volunteers. Drinks will be provided. Participants should RSVP and indicate what supplies they can bring.

"Let's shellabrate sustainability together!" the organizers encourage. "This is a fun, hands-on way to protect our river, connect with neighbors, and create cleaner, healthier waters for future generations."

Community members interested in volunteering can find more information and RSVP at https://www.oystersformyneighborhood.com/.