Our Mission
The Paul Koster Memorial Benefit is dedicated to helping graduating seniors in the Town of Southampton successfully reach their goals of furthering their education after High School. We do this by awarding annual scholarships to High School graduates. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, our work encompasses helping young people in our community by offering volunteer opportunities, making new friends, advancing connections in the business world, and by providing financial aid. All board members are volunteers and accept no monetary reimbursement for the time they give.
Our History:
Affectionately known as “the Clamman,” Paul Koster began selling local clams to Hamptons restaurants from his truck in the 1970s. He eventually founded The Clamman seafood market in Southampton in the early ‘80s, which expanded to a thriving retail and catering business. Known for his outgoing, larger-than-life personality and spirit, he was renowned for throwing the best parties for friends and family which inspired the launch of the catering side of his business. Paul was very involved in local community organizations and in the various youth activities and programs his children participated in, and is fondly remembered for the end-of-season dinners he would cook to support local sports teams, where his wife Jean and their children Mackenzie, Roxanne, and Cutter would pitch in and help serve. After losing Paul to a sudden accident in 2000, Jean established the Paul Koster Memorial Benefit to help keep Paul’s memory alive in the Southampton community and as a way to give back in his name, by helping our local youth to further their education