HOLMES BEACH – The Sixth Annual Suzi Fox Turtle Watch Wednesday fundraising event for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will be on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Hurricane Hank’s, 5346 Gulf Drive.
“This is our largest fundraiser,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said. “This year we would like to purchase two new UTVs. Ours are old and at least two need to be replaced. Our volunteers do the best they can with these, but they’re used for six months in sand and salt water.”
The non-profit Turtle Watch is staffed entirely by volunteers. Since 1983, Turtle Watch has coordinated conservation efforts for nine miles of Manatee County shoreline.
“In over four decades, we monitored 19,460 turtle activities and protected 9,506 nests. This includes at least 421,765 hatchlings that departed the beach to become a future generation of sea turtles that will return to the region as they reach maturity – in about 30 years,” according to the Turtle Watch website.
The Oct. 22 event will feature music by Mike Sales, silent and live auctions with Bob Slicker as auctioneer and raffles, all with items donated by local businesses and individuals. Mazzarella said there will be about $20,000 worth of live and silent auction items.
“The big raffle items include a ride-along Turtle Watch patrol and a ride-along with the Holmes Beach police chief,” Mazzarella said. “Another is what we’re calling Hook, Line and Slickers. Capt. Pete Charters will take you out to catch fish and then Bob Slicker cooks it up.”
A Yeti cooler full of cheer is now at Hurricane Hank’s and raffle tickets can be purchased there in advance of the event.
“Businesses took a hit last year and we really appreciate their support,” Mazzarella said.
Last year’s Turtle Watch Wednesday was canceled due to hurricanes and the sales of calendars with photographs by Angie Blunt helped Turtle Watch get through the year.
“We were able to use the funds from those for our educational programs, including putting rack cards in rentals to give out to visitors, and programs in schools,” she said.
There will be an educational booth at the event where attendees can learn about sea turtles and meet Turtle Watch volunteers.
“We’re hoping for good weather and lots of fun,” Mazzarella said.
