2024 Sanibel Shell Show - the show must go on!

You can make a difference by donating today to The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, Inc.

Our precious oceans and the marine wildlife, large and small, that live there need our help. The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club was formed to exchange information in the field of conchology and malacology, to foster public education and intelligent conservation, and to encourage and support studies and research activities in those fields.

Each year, the club's main fundraiser is the annual Shell Show. The Sanibel Shell show is the preeminent shell show in the United States and possibly the world. It has been held annually for 85 years-the longest running shell show in the world.

On September 28, 2022, Sanibel was devastated by a nearly category 5 hurricane - Hurricane Ian - bringing deadly storm surge and winds that exceeded 150 MPH. The damage to the island was catastrophic. Many buildings were severely damaged and some were washed completely away. Even the Sanibel Causeway sustained damage - so much so that it had to be rebuilt in 5 places to allow cars back on the island. After a massive effort, the Causeway was reopened in just 3 short weeks. The island damage however, continues. The social hub of the island, The Sanibel Community House, home of the Sanibel Shell Show, sustained severe damage and will likely not be ready to host our show in March of 2024, after already cancelling our 2023 show out of necessity.

Searching for an alternate venue for our 2024 show, we have realized that unfortunately, the cost for this venue will be much higher than we are used to. For the 2024 show to go on, we need financial support. This show means so much to the exhibitors who create the sea life artistry and scientific exhibits featured at our shows that often require years to prepare/create. The public enjoys visiting our shows and seeing the artistic works and learning more about mollusks and the shells that they create. But most of all, this is a tradition that our island of Sanibel needs to help with our recovery from Hurricane Ian. Every little improvement, activity or business reopening is so impactful to the morale of the residents trying to recover. The Shell Show is some of the normalcy our island needs so desperately. Won't you consider donating to help us carry on a tradition that started over 85 years ago? Any amount would be greatly appreciated.