Helping Manatees, One Mile at a Time!
For further information, contact:
Janice Nearing,
Director of Public Relations
Save the Manatee Club
Phone: (407) 539-0990
E-mail: jnearing@
savethemanatee.org |
Lesley Argiri
L’Anse Creuse High School
37855 De Prez Ct.
Harrison Twp., MI 48045
Phone: (586) 783-6729
E-mail: largiri1@hotmail.com
|
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2007
Note: A high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) of a manatee image and last year’s race are available upon request.
Hundreds of Michigan residents will be running with all their hearts again this year. On Saturday, May 19th, the 4th Annual Save the Manatee 5K Run, 2 Mile Fun Walk takes place, with participants converging at the Metro Huron-Clinton Metropark in Harrison Township, to help benefit Florida’s endangered manatees. All proceeds from the race are donated to Save the Manatee Club in Maitland, Florida.
The event is made possible by the efforts of biology teacher, Lesley Argiri, and the students of L’Anse Creuse High School. “I strongly believe in manatee conservation,” said Lesley. “After experiencing manatees on a family vacation to Florida some years back, I was determined to come up with additional ways to help these harmless animals. I thought, okay Michigan, here’s what we can do.”
Lesley’s idea of sponsoring a 5K race in her community to raise funds for the manatees has been well received, and the annual race is now in its fourth year. “As a biology teacher, I knew that I could get students, teachers, and parents involved in this wonderful cause,” Lesley explained. “I did have
some skeptics though, as many Michiganders didn’t even know what a manatee was. Well, because of the race each year, a lot more people know about manatees in this state now, and the event keeps getting bigger and better.”
Over the last three years Lesley and L’Anse Creuse High School raised $11,500 for Save the Manatee Club. “The dedication of this outstanding teacher is truly inspiring,” said Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club. “What a remarkable example she sets, and her efforts have helped us greatly with our manatee conservation and education efforts.”
Lesley’s goal for the upcoming 2007 race is $5,000. To attract people to register, she makes sure there are plenty of trophies, awards and medals to be won. Popular with participants are sponsor donated door prizes after the race. And each registration packet contains a manatee item or two, compliments of Save the Manatee Club. Early registration before May 3rd is $17 and includes a T-shirt. After that, it costs $20 to register, and it also includes a T-shirt if available. The race starts and finishes inside the Metro Huron-Clinton Metropark, and there’s a $4 entry fee per vehicle. Checks can be made payable to L’Anse Creuse High School and sent to: Lesley Argiri, 37855 De Prez Ct., Harrison Twp., MI 48045.
Save the Manatee Club, a national nonprofit organization, was started in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham. The Club’s mission is to protect endangered manatees and their habitat for future generations.
###
Return to the Manatee News page
