Meet Our Members:
Paul and Kari Skalleberg chose have a meaningful holiday
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| Last year, Paul and Kari Skalleberg asked friends and family for donations to help a worthy cause instead of material things for the holidays. (Photo courtesy Paul and Kari Skalleberg) |
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Last year, Paul and Kari Skalleberg from Alexandria, Virginia, decided to make their holiday season more meaningful. Instead of creating a gift list of material items for themselves, they decided to ask friends and family for donations to help a worthy cause. Friends Sarah Rice and Kevin Burdette were happy to oblige.
Rice and Burdette, both geologists, decided to adopt a manatee for their friends and selected Lily, a female manatee from the Club’s Blue Spring State Park adoption program. "I learned about the organization because an old roommate of mine adopted a manatee several years ago," says Burdette. "I always remember seeing the picture of the manatee on our fridge, so when it came time to get a gift for our friends, the manatee picture popped into my head." “This was the perfect opportunity to adopt a manatee for them,” added Rice. “Lily has added to the manatee population over the years with many calves, and we felt that she has done her part in the world and deserved some recognition.”
The Skallebergs were most pleased with their manatee adoption gift. “We particularly loved the photo of Lily,” explained Kari. “And the manatee calendar that came with the adoption was a great present, too -- just in time for the New Year.”
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| Sarah Rice and Kevin Burdette adopted Lily the manatee for friends Paul and Kari Skalleberg. (Photo courtesy Sarah Rice) |
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Adopting a manatee is a great way to steer clear of some of the holiday hustle and hype this year. Like Sarah Rice and Kevin Burdette, you may know of someone who would appreciate a gift that helps to make the world a better place.
An adoption from Save the Manatee Club is always a favorite, and funds from the Club’s adoption programs go toward increasing public awareness, education, and conservation efforts to help protect endangered manatees.
A manatee adoption costs just $25 and includes an adoption certificate, photo of a real Florida manatee, biography, membership handbook, and a subscription to the Club’s quarterly newsletter and bi-monthly e-newsletter. Or for $35, each new member who joins the Adopt-A-Manatee program online will also receive a 24” x 12” full-color 2009 manatee wall calendar (while supplies last). A personalized holiday message is offered with each adoption, and shipping is free.
“With increased awareness, education, regulations, and enforcement, manatee deaths caused by humans could be substantially reduced, and the eventual recovery of the species could be realized,” said Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club. “Non-traditional holiday gifts, such as manatee adoptions, make sense in these hard economic times. You can make each dollar you spend during the holidays count because you’ll also be helping endangered manatees – and you’ll get a tax deduction.”
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Lily is the manatee adopted by Sarah Rice and Kevin Burdette for Paul and Kari Skalleberg. Lily winters at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida, and has been a regular visitor since 1974. She is one of the few adult manatees to regularly winter at the park and is the mother of several calves.
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Law and Order Fans:
Win An Autographed Sign!
Purchase a membership (for yourself or as a gift) before Thanksgiving to be eligible to win this manatee sign featured in an episode of Law and Order, Special Victims Unit and autographed by cast members. Place your orders early! (One winner will be selected.) |
