A 1,000-Pound Gift for Dad
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Brian Gallagher (right) and his dad, Mike Gallagher, in front of Georgetown University's main building. (Photo by Constance Gallagher.)
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For further information, contact:
Janice Nearing,
Director of Public Relations
Phone: (407) 539-0990
E-mail: jnearing@savethemanatee.org
Note: A high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) of a manatee image, as well as a photo Brian and Mike Gallagher, are available upon request.
Also, ask for the Club’s Father’s Day public service advertisements, available in three sizes!
For Immediate Release
Making memories on Father’s Day is what Brian Gallagher, a finance student from Georgetown University in California, had in mind when he adopted a manatee for his dad last year. Although Brian didn’t show up on his dad’s doorstep in Napa Valley with an actual aquatic mammal, he did give him an adoption package which included a color photo of a real manatee, an adoption certificate, biography, and handbook from Save the Manatee Club. The mission of the Florida-based, national nonprofit organization, co-founded in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, is to protect endangered manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations.
“Adopting a manatee was the perfect solution for a Father’s Day gift because it’s simple, thoughtful, and unique,” said Brian. “My dad thought it was great. He’s always been interested in oceanography, and he taught his family to care about animals.”
There are 32 real, living manatees with known histories to choose from in the Club’s three Florida adoption programs at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, and in the Tampa Bay area.
Brian chose Merlin from the Club’s adoption program for his dad because he thought the name was clever and he liked the description of Merlin’s curious personality and love of exploring.
Gift adoptions cost $25 and also include four printed newsletters and six e-newsletters throughout the year. Shipping is free within the United States. This Father’s Day, each new member who joins the Adopt-A-Manatee® program online for a $35 tax-deductible donation, will also receive the Club’s official T-shirt with a full color underwater design by renowned Florida artist, Nancy Blauers.
Manatees are Florida’s official state marine mammal and they’re listed as endangered at the state, federal, and international levels. The population is estimated to be about 3,800 concentrated year-round in Florida.
“Manatees continue to face grave threats,” explained Patrick Rose, aquatic biologist and Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club. “Manatee injuries and deaths from boat hits remain high, and there’s a critical concern for the potential loss of winter warm-water sites, such as natural springs and power plant outfalls. Plus, the loss of aquatic habitat to coastal development remains an on-going threat. We must continue to work together for the long-term conservation of manatees and their habitat.”
Funds raised from the Club’s adoption programs go toward numerous manatee conservation and education programs.
“Nature is too beautiful a gift not to be appreciated and protected,” said Brian.
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