The WaterFront Center 2025 Impact Report
Celebrating 25 Years of Connection, Access, and Impact on Oyster Bay Harbor and Beyond
For a quarter century, The WaterFront Center has connected people to the water through education and recreation. In 2025, we celebrated the people, programs, vessels, donors, volunteers, and community partners who continue to make that mission possible.
Every number in this report represents a moment of connection. A child discovering marine life for the first time. A veteran finding peace on the water. A sailor building confidence. A community connecting with the harbor, whether at our home on Oyster Bay Harbor or through outreach programs across Long Island and New York.
A Quarter Century on Oyster Bay Harbor
25 years of helping people find their way to Oyster Bay Harbor and the waters around us
What began in 2000 as a vision for marine education and waterfront recreation has grown into a community organization that welcomes students, sailors, paddlers, veterans, families, volunteers, and visitors to experience Oyster Bay Harbor in a meaningful way, while also bringing marine education and outreach to schools, libraries, senior centers, camps, and community sites across Long Island and New York.
Our 25th anniversary year was not only a celebration of where we have been. It was a reminder of why this work matters now and for the next generation of sailors, scientists, stewards, and waterfront neighbors.
Voices from Our 25th Year
The people who carry the story forward
Our 25th anniversary year reminded us that The WaterFront Center is more than a place on Oyster Bay Harbor. It is a community built by people who give their time, share their skills, welcome others, and believe that access to the water can change lives.
Doug Durfee
“I was there when the CHRISTEEN Foundation sold sweatshirts to raise money to rebuild CHRISTEEN. What was left of her was in a corner of Oyster Bay Marine Center.”
Doug shared that one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering is seeing the “lightbulb” moments on students’ faces when they discover the marine environment in Oyster Bay Harbor.
Evelyn Fasulo
“I love the comrades and the camaraderie. Just like family. Makes it fun.”
Evelyn described the vessels as a tremendous asset for the community and shared how passengers often leave with new friends and a deeper appreciation for the harbor.
Dave Nieri
“I enjoy sharing nautical knowledge with the students on the youth sails.”
For Dave, CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY are powerful tools for getting the public interested in boating, sailing, and the waters around us.
Jack Hoyt
“A passenger told me she had lived in Oyster Bay for 15 years and this was the first time she had been out on the water. Until then, she had no idea how special it is.”
Jack called that moment The WaterFront Center’s mission in a nutshell, connecting people to the place they call home in a new and lasting way.
Preserving Living History
Volunteers described CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY as living links to Oyster Bay’s maritime history. Their work keeps traditional wooden vessels active, visible, and meaningful for future generations.
Looking Ahead
When asked about the next 25 years, volunteers shared a simple hope: keep doing the work, find new ways to reach people, and continue welcoming the community to the water.
2025 By the Numbers
A year of access, learning, recreation, and community
In our 25th year, The WaterFront Center continued to welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to experience Oyster Bay Harbor through hands on education and meaningful time on the water, while also reaching people through off site programs across Long Island and New York.
Note: Junior Summer Programs reflects unique participants. All other figures reflect bookings or program participation records.
Education in Action
6,648 opportunities to discover Oyster Bay Harbor and local marine life
In 2025, marine education programs brought students and community members closer to Oyster Bay Harbor and the marine life of our region through touch tanks, Harbor Habitats, Marine Education Sails, kayaking, beach programs, estuary exploration, oysters, plankton, water quality, shoreline ecology, and local marine life.
Learning by seeing, touching, and doing
Our education programs turn Oyster Bay Harbor into a living classroom where students can connect science standards to real habitats, real species, and real stewardship.
1,310 young people in Junior Summer Programs
Through sailing, marine science, paddling, exploration, and teamwork, Junior Summer Programs helped young people build confidence and a deeper relationship with the water.
What Families Shared
“She loves camp at The WaterFront Center and tells everyone that it’s her favorite place.”
Junior Summer Program Parent
Confidence on the Water
“My child is more confident in and around the water and talks about what they learned at The WaterFront Center.”
Junior Summer Program Parent
A Meaningful Experience
“My daughter thinks it’s a wonderful program. I hope she can experience it again in the future.”
Junior Summer Program Parent
Historic Vessels, Living History
CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY continue to carry the mission forward
Our historic vessels are more than boats. They are floating classrooms, gathering places, and living links to the maritime history of Oyster Bay Harbor.
CHRISTEEN
In 2025, CHRISTEEN welcomed 2,154 bookings for harbor experiences, education, private charters, and meaningful time aboard a National Historic Landmark oyster sloop.
IDA MAY
IDA MAY welcomed 564 bookings and continued to serve as a floating classroom and ambassador for Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound.
Education Aboard
CHRISTEEN and IDA MAY education programs reached 829 bookings, giving students the chance to study marine life, water quality, plankton, oysters, and harbor ecology from the water itself.
Volunteers and the 1883 Society
More than 1,400 volunteer hours helped keep our historic vessels moving
The WaterFront Center’s volunteers are at the heart of our mission. In 2025, their time, skill, and care supported sails, charters, marine education, vessel stewardship, events, and the community experiences that make our waterfront feel welcoming.
Top CHRISTEEN Volunteer Hours
Sue Bello, O.J. Donovan, Peter Pramberger, and John Wilson each contributed more than 100 hours aboard CHRISTEEN in 2025.
IDA MAY Volunteer Leadership
Peter Pramberger, Sue Bello, Richard Schlueck, and John Wilson were among the leading volunteer contributors aboard IDA MAY.
2025 Volunteer Recognition
Milestone recognitions included Sue Bello, O.J. Donovan, Norm Orenstein, Dave Kellogg, and Penny Leibold. Special thanks were also shared for Peter Pramberger’s fishing support and Sue Bello and Kevin O'Donnell’s party planning.
Access for All
The water belongs to every community we serve
For 25 years, The WaterFront Center has worked to reduce barriers to the water. In 2025, access focused programs continued to create welcoming experiences for veterans, people with disabilities, youth, families, and community partners.
Veterans on Water
Veterans on Water offers time on the harbor as a source of connection, peace, challenge, and community for veterans, retirees, and active duty service members.
ZigZag Adaptive Sailing
ZigZag helps make sailing more inclusive for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, showing that the joy of the water can be shared by all.
Community Partnerships
Through partnerships with local agencies, schools, clubs, senior centers, and community organizations, WFC helps more people experience Oyster Bay Harbor firsthand.
The 25th Anniversary Benefit Celebration
A milestone evening for the next 25 years
In 2025, The WaterFront Center gathered our community to celebrate 25 years of connecting people to the water through education and recreation. The evening honored the people, programs, vessels, and supporters who have shaped our story on Oyster Bay Harbor and beyond.
2025 Benefit Party Highlights
Held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at the Wooden Boat Shop, the 25th Anniversary Benefit welcomed approximately 176 guests and generated $154,249 in total revenue. After expenses, the event raised $114,939 in net support for The WaterFront Center’s mission.
This support helps sustain scholarships, marine education, access programs, historic vessel stewardship, and meaningful experiences for students, sailors, veterans, families, and community members.
With special gratitude to our main sponsor, Frederic R. Coudert Foundation, Mrs. Sandra Coudert-Graham & Ms. Cynthia Coudert, for their generous $25,000 support of this milestone celebration.
Event Revenue Snapshot
- $86,978 in sponsorship support, including the 25th anniversary gift
- $27,500 from the live auction
- $19,421 in ticket sales
- $11,584 in donations
- $11,250 from the online auction
- $4,600 from the paddle raise
- $3,850 through Name a Kayak support
Watch the 25th Anniversary Celebration
Add the evening video and slideshow presentation here so guests, donors, and community members can revisit the celebration and share it with others.
Donor Recognition
Thank you to the donors who made our 25th year possible
The WaterFront Center gratefully recognizes the donors, sponsors, grantors, and community partners whose generosity supported our 25th anniversary year. Donor names are formatted to follow the 2024 Annual Report style, using formal salutations for individuals and household gifts and organization names for businesses, foundations, and institutional supporters.
Annual Appeal Supporters
Annual Appeal supporters are listed by total 2025 giving level.
$15,000 and above
- Mr. & Mrs. Bryan H. Lawrence
- Mr. & Mrs. Peter Bartley
$5,000 to $14,999
- Anthony Ford Charitable Foundation
- Frederic R. Coudert Foundation
- Mr. & Mrs. Mark E. DeNatale
- R.K. Mellon Family Foundation
- The PHFFoundation, Inc.
$1,000 to $4,999
Paste final reviewed $1,000 to $4,999 Annual Appeal list here.
Under $1,000
Paste final reviewed Under $1,000 Annual Appeal list here.
25th Anniversary Benefit Supporters
Includes benefit sponsors, benefit donations, Name a Kayak supporters, in kind gifts, and auction item donors. Regular ticket holders, comped guests, and auction winners who only purchased items are not included in this recognition list.
Main Sponsor
- Frederic R. Coudert Foundation, Mrs. Sandra Coudert-Graham & Ms. Cynthia Coudert
25th Anniversary Benefit Sponsors
Paste final reviewed sponsor list here.
Benefit Donations
Paste final reviewed benefit donation list here.
Name a Kayak Supporters
Paste final reviewed Name a Kayak list here.
In Kind and Auction Item Donors
Paste final reviewed in kind and auction item donor list here.
Season Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
- Mill-Max Manufacturing Corporation
- Oyster Bay Restaurant Group
Gold Sponsors
- Farrell Fritz, P.C.
Silver Sponsors
- Fuschetto Home Improvements, LLC
- Mr. George D. Baker
- Sealift Inc.
Bronze Sponsors
- Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Geisel
- Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Dooley
- The Bedi Team, Compass Realty
- Dodds & Eder
- Elisa M. Santoro, P.C.
- Joseph I Lopez, MD, PC
- Kiddsmiles Pediatric Dentistry
- Mr. Mark Friel
- Melrose Contracting Corp.
- Melrose Marine Services Inc.
- Northern Trust
- OBMC / OBAY Properties LLC
Benefit Regatta Supporters
Supporters
Paste final reviewed Benefit Regatta supporter list here.
LOG Supporters
Supporters
Paste final reviewed LOG supporter list here.
Grant Supporters
Supporters
Paste final reviewed grant supporter list here.
We make every effort to ensure donor recognition is accurate. Please contact The WaterFront Center with any updates or corrections.
Organizations Served in 2025
A growing community of schools, camps, libraries, senior centers, and partners
In 2025, The WaterFront Center brought marine education and waterfront experiences to schools, libraries, camps, senior centers, community partners, and special programs on Oyster Bay Harbor and across Long Island and New York.
Schools and Education Partners
- Unqua Elementary School
- Lockhart Elementary School
- Old Bethpage Elementary School
- St. Gertrude’s Pre K
- Garden City Park School
- The Green Vale School
- Sunsquam Elementary School
- Oyster Bay Preschool Pre K
- Locust School
- Oyster Bay Co op
- Harbor Hill School
- East Woods Elementary School
- Silverstein Hebrew Academy
- Holy Martyr Armenian Day School
- Uniondale
- Uniondale High School
- South Grove Middle School
- Cantiague Elementary School
- Lee Avenue School
- Sawmill Road School
- Plainview Old Bethpage
- Teddy Roosevelt Elementary School
- Robbins Lane School
- East Hills Elementary School
- Glen Head Elementary School
- John Quincy Adams Elementary School
- Meadow Drive School
- Landing School
- Monsey Park
- St. Dominic’s
- Ocean Avenue School
- St. Peter’s
- Tiegerman Middle School
- Gribbin School
- Glen Cove
- Sea Cliff
- Old Bethpage
- Greenvale
- Jackson Avenue, Mineola Summer Program
- Roslyn Summer Public School
- Eastwoods School
- Faith Nursery School, Syosset
- Jericho High School APES
- LuHi School
- Love of Learning
- Saint Pius
- Trinity Lutheran
- Oyster Bay High School
- Vernon Middle School
- Great Neck South
- Bethpage High School
- Smithtown High School
- Jackson Elementary
- St. Dominic’s High School
- Portledge High School
Libraries and Public Learning Spaces
- Cold Spring Harbor Library
- North Merrick Library
- Glen Cove Library
- Center Moriches Public Library
Senior Centers, Rehab Centers, and Adult Groups
- White Oaks Senior Center
- White Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center
- Berkshire Nursing and Rehab
- Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay
- Glengariff Healthcare Center
- Glen Cove Senior Center
- Massapequa Center for Rehab and Aging
Camps and Youth Programs
- Noah’s Ark Centerport
- Camp Gan Israel
- Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club
- Future Stars Old Westbury
- Future Stars Farmingdale
- Crestwood Summer Camp
Scouts and Youth Organizations
- Girl Scout Troop 365
- Girl Scout
- Girl Scout Troop 558
- Girl Scout Troop 1887
Community Partners and Nonprofit Organizations
- Friends of Sagamore Hill
- Reach CYA
- SCO Families
- A Work of Heart
- Viscardi Center
- Project Excel
- Wyandanch Department of Labor
- Long Island Sound Partners, NY Sea Grant
- Mount Sinai Children Services
Homeschool Groups
- HomeSchool, Caballero
- HomeSchool, Michelle Biddle
Special Events, Private Programs, and Birthday Programs
- Erin Dunn Birthday Party
- Birthday Harbor Habitats, Charlie’s
Environmental and STEM Partners
- Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery
- Zen STEM
- Masters Teaching Workshop
2025 Stories from the Water
The year in moments, milestones, and memories
Our 25th anniversary year was filled with stories of learning, leadership, celebration, and community. Add links to the strongest 2025 news posts here.
25th Anniversary Benefit Celebration
A milestone evening honoring the people and partnerships behind 25 years of impact.
Junior Big Boat Achievement
A story of confidence, teamwork, seamanship, and youth leadership on the water.
IDA MAY Outreach
IDA MAY continued to serve as an ambassador for marine education and Long Island Sound.
Financial Snapshot
2025 Financial Results Unaudited
The 2025 financial results shared in this digital report are unaudited. This high level snapshot reflects revenue from programs, total expenses, the year’s operating deficit, and balance sheet highlights as of December 31, 2025.
Financial context — UNAUDITED
In 2025, The WaterFront Center’s operating expenses outpaced revenue. The resulting deficit was funded through existing cash reserves as the organization continued to deliver mission based education, recreation, access programs, and historic vessel experiences.
Balance sheet highlights as of December 31, 2025: assets without donor restrictions were approximately $517,553; assets with donor restrictions were approximately $331,525; total assets were approximately $849,078; total liabilities were approximately $192,674; and net assets were approximately $656,404.
Please confirm final wording and figures with the bookkeeper before publishing. Consider asking George whether to mention the Frohring gift of $15,000 received in December 2025.
Thank You
The next 25 years begin with this community
For 25 years, The WaterFront Center has helped people find their way to the water. With your support, we are ready for the next 25.