Ready to Go the Distance for Manatees
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 23, 2008
Note: A high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) of a manatee image and last year’s race are available upon request.
Manatees are big in Michigan – and getting bigger! The aquatic marine mammal’s popularity is growing, as shown by the ever-increasing number of race enthusiasts who turn out each year for the Save the Manatee 5K Run, 2 Mile Fun Walk. Those who’ll be participating on May 17th at the 5th annual race at the Metro Huron-Clinton Metropark in Harrison Township, will be helping to make a difference for the endangered manatees who live quite some distance away in Florida’s waterways. All proceeds from the race will be donated to Save the Manatee Club, a national nonprofit organization located in Maitland, Florida, to help with numerous manatee conservation and education programs.
Biology teacher, Lesley Argiri, and her students at L’Anse Creuse High School are the dedicated group who make the race happen each year. They also hold numerous fundraisers throughout the months leading up to race day, including car washes and bottle drives. Over the last four years, they’ve raised $17,500 for the Club. Lesley says her goal this year is to climb that total up to $25,000. “I love this. It keeps me going all year,” says Lesley. “People used to say, why do this, there aren’t any manatees in Michigan. That actually motivated me all the more to teach others about manatees , the
many problems they face, and how all of us, no matter where we live, can get involved and help them.”
Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club says Lesley’s efforts to help the cause is inspiring and remarkable. “Lesley is an outstanding individual, and her boundless energy and dedication to help save manatees’ lives by supporting our cause, year after year, is enormously appreciated.”
Returning participants and newcomers to the race receive a registration packet filled with special items, and they have the opportunity to win a variety of trophies, medals, awards, and door prizes. “Every year we do something a little better,” explains Lesley. “This year there are manatee medals in gold, silver and bronze.” Early registration before May 3rd is $17 and includes a T-shirt. After that, it costs $20 to register, and includes a T-shirt if available. The entry fee does not include the park entrance fee of $4.00 per vehicle. The race starts and finishes inside the Metro Huron-Clinton Metropark, with a new and improved finish line. 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 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.
For more information on the Save the Manatee 5K Run, e-mail Lesley at largiri1@hotmail.com. To discover more about manatees, contact Save the Manatee Club at 500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751, call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
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