Wilmer Hall’s 13th Annual Maine Event comes at a critical time in its 143-year history. A reduction in state funding to the home for foster children has prompted its board of trustees to look at ways to reduce costs while continuing to offer most of the services the Episcopal Church-operated residence hall has long been known for.

To offset the difference, the popular lobster fest is kicking it up a notch. Cynthia Rush, director of development and communications for the organization, said, “We are broadening it. Parishes and individuals are doing parties and dinners.”

As always, those who love fresh, Maine lobster can purchase them either live or steamed for $20 each. They will be available for pickup Oct. 13, not long after they arrive from the Pine Tree State.

Order forms are available at many businesses and parish churches throughout the area, Rush said, including the Fairhope Public Library, Panini Pete’s, The Muffin Man, Utopia, Four Bags and Page and Palette Bookstore. The Lyons Share Gallery hosted an order table during the most recent First Friday ArtWalk.

Lobster may also be ordered online at www.wilmerhall.org; by mail, Wilmer Hall, 3811 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36608; and by phone, 342-4931, (866) 591-4931 or fax, 342-6954.

All orders must be prepaid, and credit cards are accepted.

Crustacean lovers may pick up their lobster(s) at Wilmer Hall on Old Shell Road next to St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne and St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and from Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pensacola, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Those who would like to save a lobster can instead buy a commemorative T-shirt for $15 or simply save one from the dinner table with a $10 donation.

According to Margaret Scarborough, development department assistant, Wilmer Hall served up around 1,000 lobsters the first year they were offered. Last year, nearly 3,600 weighing a pound and a half each were sold.

“Our development department was trying to come up with a fund-raiser that was different and had never been done in Mobile,” Scarborough said. “Rev. Sandra Mayer’s husband, Tom, had lived in Maine and she came up with the idea.”

She said the effort began with just parishes and individuals participating, then “lots of people started having neighborhood parties. They would provide the beer and wine and ask their friends to bring the lobster.”

Scarborough said Randy Fausak, a longtime Wilmer Hall supporter, cooks the lobster, adding, “He knows how to do it with his eyes closed.”

Among the most important parts of the event planning process, Scarborough said, is picking a date when neither Auburn or Alabama are playing football on their home turf, but are being televised with other good Southeastern Conference match ups.

Something new has been planned this year, Rush said. Several Eastern Shore restaurants have signed up to help the children of Wilmer Hall, and have come up with special lobster dishes for one day only, on a first come, first served basis.

Panini Pete’s owner, Pete Blohme, will add lobster sandwiches to his lunch menu Oct. 15 at his restaurant in Fairhope’s French Quarter. Jessie’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs will serve lobster bisque on Oct. 16, thanks to Charlie Hauser, owner and the town’s mayor.

Lisa Mayer, owner of The Muffin Man, is creating a colorful dessert, the “Under the Sea Sundae,” which she will offer Oct. 8-12. She will donate a portion of each sale to Wilmer Hall.

Rush said, “We’re not relying on the state anymore. The funds are drying up for foster care.”

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has “substantially reduced residential services for this fiscal year, and may soon completely phase out these services,” according to a statement issued by Wilmer Hall Board of Trustees Chairman George G. Riggall. The board evaluated the situation and is terminating state funded and moderate residential service contracts with the state on Oct. 31.

Likewise, another program operated under state contract which helps at-risk teens make a successful transition between school and work will not be renewed by DHR when it expires Dec. 31. The program will continue, however, with private funding.

Riggall’s statement notes the contractual relationship began years ago, and enabled Wilmer Hall to provide residential services for children and youth with significant behavioral, emotional and educational needs.

Officials plan to continue working with the state for now through its foster care program, and with the private Child Advocacy Center, providing therapy for sexually abused children and non-offending parents.

The Murray School, which offers help to children with educational deficits, will also continue.

“It’s not really a change of mission,” Rush said. “It’s a change of who’s going to support us. That makes the lobster event even more important.”

Wilmer Hall was founded by Bishop Richard Wilmer in 1864 as a home for children who lost their parents during the Civil War.