Save the Manatee Club members are always looking for creative ways to help their favorite aquatic mammals, and Kimberly Matthiensen is no exception. Recently, while cooking dinner, she and her husband came across a potato that looked like a manatee. "Believe me, I thought it was the most hilarious thing I had ever seen when I pulled the potato out of the bag," said Matthiensen. "I had heard of people finding silly things but this one was too cute!"

She immediately thought of a way that she could garner some cash and public attention for endangered manatees. Matthiensen fired off an e-mail to Save the Manatee Club and proposed offering the potato, nicknamed "Spud," on auction at eBay with all proceeds after auction costs to go to the Club for manatee protection efforts.

"We're very happy Kimberly had this idea," said Judith Vallee, Executive Director for the Club. "We all got a great laugh out of the photos she sent and thought why not? It's a creative way to help spread the word about endangered manatees."

For a fun-filled week, Spud and manatees were featured on TV, in newspapers, and even in a blog. Then, Scott Mowry of Florida became the high bidder for $151.50.  

“I’ve never donated to manatee protection efforts before, but the Spud story really appealed to me, and I figured it was time to help out,” said Mowry. “I may donate Spud to Save the Manatee Club to help raise even more public awareness."

Matthiensen had mixed feelings about parting with the popular potato. "I never thought I could get attached to a potato,” she said. "I would have loved to have kept Spud for myself as I have many statues and collectibles, but I wanted to do something much better. I’m absolutely overjoyed to have partnered with the Club for such a great cause. So many more people know about manatees now and how special they are, and that makes all of this priceless."

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