HomeOutdoorsTurtle Watch Wednesday raises...

Turtle Watch Wednesday raises funds, spirits

HOLMES BEACH – After a year off due to COVID-19, the community flocked to the Third Annual Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraising event on Sept. 29 at Hurricane Hanks to show their support for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s mission.

The not-for-profit group monitors sea turtle and shorebird nesting on AMI, keeping tabs on population trends.

“We collect scientific data for the scientists in the state of Florida to analyze and see how we’re doing with the turtles,” Director Suzi Fox said. “We do a lot, but in essence, we are data collectors.”

The event has been held at Hurricane Hanks since its inception in 2018, but was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first year, they raised $3,000, with a large increase to $13,000 in 2019 and a grand total of $16,000 at last week’s event. Money was raised from a silent auction of more than 80 items donated by local artists and businesses as well as T-shirt sales, a 50-50 raffle, a $1 donation from each food and beverage sale at Hurricane Hanks during the event and a live auction hosted by Bob Slicker that raised thousands of additional dollars. 

- Jason Schaffer | Sun
Turtle Watch Wednesday attendees shop silent auction items. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“This year we came up with a VIP package. It’s a $75 donation, but it’s a 100% donation to Turtle Watch; just another way to add to the fundraising,” said Brian Mathae, owner of Hurricane Hanks. “This organization and the turtles need all the money they can get. This is truly an Anna Maria Island community event. It’s small businesses supporting it by donating all these prizes and the community coming out that makes it successful.” 

Proceeds from the Turtle Watch Wednesday event will help purchase a much-needed ATV to help the volunteers move around the beach more efficiently. 

The event was well-orchestrated with free parking provided by nearby Hancock Whitney Bank, food and drinks thanks to Hurricane Hanks and great live music by Mike Sales.

Sponsors included A Paradise Realty, Mike Sales Entertainment, J n’J Graphics, Florida Underwater Sports, CabanUp, Harbor Lane Court Vacation Rentals and The Anna Maria Island Sun.

Related coverage

 

Nesting News

Most Popular

More from Author

Man completes Chamber passport program in five hours

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of...

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK...

‘Communicating Doors’ a hilarious time warp

ANNA MARIA - The Island Players continue their historic 75th season...

Golf cart accident victims say ‘buckle up’

BRADENTON BEACH - One of the biggest concerns for the Island’s...

Floridian Mortgage wins championship

ANNA MARIA – Spring has sprung and winter sports at The Center are coming to a close, with team Floridian Mortgage earning the win against team Moss Builders Thursday night in the adult co-ed flag football championship game. The top two teams in the league matched up in...

Man completes Chamber passport program in five hours

ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Passport Program is a fun way for residents and visitors to the Island to get out and discover Island businesses with a passport offered for free by the chamber. Participants are encouraged to get their passports...

One ARK Foundation raises funds for foster families

live music, delicious food and spirited fundraising as the One ARK Foundation held its second annual “Kindness Matters Extravaganza” at The Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe on March 21. “One ARK” stands for “one act of random kindness” and is a newly-established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by The Cheesecake...

Save our homes

This column should be titled “Save our Taxes,” since that’s what we’re really talking about. However, saving on property taxes is part of the Save Our Homes benefits and portability transfers are another piece of this law. In January of 2008, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that allows...

 Reel Time: Salon fundraiser meets with success

Salon (noun) - a conversational gathering of notables held at the home of a prominent person. On Saturday afternoon, Suncoast Waterkeeper held its Suncoast Salon fundraiser at the Sarasota home of Anna Maria residents Bill and Debbie Partridge. The event was a sellout and attracted some of...

Temporary paid parking vendors hired

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners considered four temporary use parking permits at the March 21 commission meeting and after much discussion, approved three with stipulations, denying one. Permit applications were submitted by developer Shawn Kaleta for temporary parking lots at 102 Third St. N., 207 Church Ave. and...

Fire department sued over rental regulations

BRADENTON – Almost a year after passing a resolution changing the district’s approach to taxing and inspecting vacation rental properties in residential areas, West Manatee Fire Rescue is receiving pushback from one rental owner. During a March 19 commission meeting, the district’s attorney, Maggie Mooney, informed the board...

Bridge Street traffic, parking among commission concerns

BRADENTON BEACH – In what was an unusually lengthy, seven-hour city commission meeting that began at noon on March 21, commissioners dove into parking and traffic issues, pickleball and organ donation. BRIDGE STREET ONE WAY? A Bridge Street business owner asked the commission to consider making Bridge Street one...

Scaccianoce new Bradenton Beach commissioner

BRADENTON BEACH – Ward 1 has a new commissioner. The application for commissioner by business owner and former Manatee County records manager Deborah Scaccianoce was approved by the commission and she was sworn in at its March 21 meeting. She filled the vacant seat left by former Commissioner Jake...

Kruse talks beach parking, Island consolidation

HOLMES BEACH – About two dozen people came out on March 20 to meet with Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, bringing their questions for the candidate, who is seeking re-election in November. Kruse held a town hall meeting at the Island Branch Library where he answered every question...

Commissioners deny bids for paid parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Rather than partnering with an outside vendor as planned, commissioners are now considering city-managed paid parking lots throughout Bradenton Beach. The city had put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Feb. 9 to “Provide the City with a complete parking management and enforcement system...