SeaTurtle Inc. benefit moves to new location
SeaTurtle Inc. is happy to announce that this year’s annual fundraising event has moved to a new location! This year’s event is being held Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Hilton Garden Inn’s Grand Ballroom, 7010 S. Padre Blvd., South Padre Island.
This is the first year the annual fundraiser is being held in an indoor, air-conditioned location, and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser in the beautiful new surroundings.
The celebration will start at 6 p.m. with a silent auction, and thanks to the generous donations by area businesses and individuals, there’s going to be something for everyone.
A live auction will follow and throughout the evening, raffle drawings will be conducted for more wonderful items. This year’s "artist in residence" will be well-known local artist Beth Fedigan.
Tickets are $40 and include hors d’oeuvres and two drinks. They are available at Sea Turtle Inc., located at 6617 S. Padre Blvd. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (closed Monday), or you may reserve your tickets by calling 956-761-4511.
However, purchasing your tickets there will give you the opportunity to check out the new residents at the facility and visit with some very familiar ones. Yes, Ila’s Merry Christmas and Jerry are still there to shake a flipper at, as well as the world renowned Allison, the subject of numerous worldwide publications and video documentaries.
Proceeds of the event will be used for the future expansion of a new 5-acre land tract that Sea Turtle Inc. recently obtained.
Tickets can also be purchased at the following "cash only" locations on South Padre Island: Paragraphs on Padre, 5505 Padre Blvd; SPI Chamber of Commerce, 600 Padre Blvd., and in Port Isabel, Coastal Winds 406 Queen Isabella Blvd.; and the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, 421 Queen Isabella Blvd.
Sea Turtle Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to rehabilitate injured sea turtles for release, to educate the public about the plight of the endangered sea turtles, and to assist in conservation efforts worldwide.
In 2010 we had nearly 80,000 visitors to whom we provided age-specific presentations to adult visitors and students, from pre-K to university level. Your help is especially important as they are funded solely by private sector donations.
Here are some current projects and highlights of the past year:
- Full financial responsibility of nesting patrols from the Mexican border to Port Mansfield.
- Eight internships to university students.
- Annual scholarships to high school and university students.
- Assist with the National Sea Turtle Stranding and Observation Network.
- Regional, state, national and international exposure through magazines, newspapers, TV (including Discovery) and Internet.
- Conservation funds to the Black Sea turtle project in Michoacan, Mexico.
- Purchase of 5.08 acres of land adjacent to the existing facility.
- Addition of a storage garage.
- Rescue, treatment and release of more than 730 turtles during the freeze of early February.
Jeff George, curator
Sea Turtle Inc.
South Padre Island
Via the Internet
