MATTAPOISETT – Since Sandy Hering, president of the Mattapoisett Woman's Club, moved to Mattapoisett in 2006, she has seen the community come together to support each other countless times.

Sunday, Oct. 2, at Rustico was no different. The Woman’s Club, Mattapoisett Lions Club, and American Legion came together to organize a fundraiser for the Mattapoisett Boatyard after it was destroyed in a devastating fire in August.

The family business has been a Mattapoisett cornerstone for 60 years, originally built by Art McLean and passed to his son in-law, Dave Kaiser. McLean, Kaiser and the rest of the family were present at the event.

“It’s such a great cause,” Hering said, “everybody wanted to help out.” Hering said the turnout was great, but the support was greater. They charged money for tickets, accepted donations for raffle and silent auction items, and Rustico served a full buffet. Hering said that many people who could not attend bought tickets just to support the cause.

Lions Club President Kimberly Ray said that the fundraiser was made possible thanks to Rustico, which recently reopened under the new ownership of Jessica Moore. “[Rustico] has been phenomenal,” Ray said, adding that it was also a great way for many in the town to get introduced to Moore and her employees.

The American Legion’s commander, Rachel Perron, donated the big raffle prize of the night – a 17’ Chesapeake Light Craft Northeast Towing Dinghy, which sat in Rustico’s backyard.

Due to the windy and cold weather, the back patio wasn’t used as planned, and members of the Mattapoisett community piled into Rustico to eat and enjoy each other’s company.

Local vocalist, Sophia Crippin, who is 10, performed with Glen Nunes, walking around the restaurant as she serenaded those enjoying fresh pizza.

“We have such a great community,” said Hering.