The Perfect Gift for Mom?
Sometimes BIG is Best!
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Dawn Baksh (right) and her mom, Cindy Tivey (left).
(Photo courtesy of Dawn Baksh.)
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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 a photo of Dawn Baksh and her mom, Cindy Tivey, are available upon request.
For Immediate Release
Last year, as the month of May approached, Dawn Baksh from Orlando, Florida was contemplating what to get her mom for Mother’s Day. “I just wanted to give her something different, a little more thoughtful,” said Dawn. Like many others in Florida and around the country, Dawn decided to adopt a manatee for her mom, Cindy Tivey, also from Orlando. She contacted Save the Manatee Club, a national, nonprofit organization, dedicated to protecting endangered manatees and their habitat.
Dawn chose Ginger from the Club’s Tampa Bay manatee adoption program. “She just seemed sweet with her babies and all,” explained Dawn when asked why she picked Ginger. “My mom loved the adoption. Plus she really wants grandkids, so I thought a manatee adoption would be perfect! Seriously though, I believe I got a tear or two with that Mother’s Day gift.”
Adopting a manatee costs $25, and it includes an adoption certificate, manatee photo, biography, membership handbook and free shipping. Members also receive a subscription to the Club’s official quarterly newsletter, The Manatee Zone, and the bi-monthly e-newsletter, Paddle Tales. Or, for $35, each new member who joins the Adopt-A-Manatee program online will receive a cute, colorful manatee
micro purse that you can wrap up along with mom’s gift adoption, or just keep for yourself. It measures 4” by 3 ½” and features an elastic band for use as a wrist wallet, with a clear vinyl front for ID and an attached key ring. Choose from 31 manatees in Save the Manatee 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.
Dawn, who loves Jimmy Buffett tunes, horseback riding, and spending time with her husband, family and friends, was born in New Hampshire and has lived in Florida for the last 16 years. Like many others in the Sunshine State and all parts of the world, she’s concerned about the manatee’s future. “I really worry about their safety and survival,” she said.
Last year was the worst on record for manatees, with 416 reported manatee deaths. At least 86 were killed by boat strikes, making it the second highest mortality from watercraft collisions ever recorded. About 3,000 manatees live in Florida’s waterways, and they are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Save the Manatee Club was founded in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former Florida governor Bob Graham. Funds from the Club’s adoption programs go toward numerous education and conservation efforts. “It’s comforting to know there’s an organization trying to make a difference for such gracious creatures,” said Dawn. “Manatees are so peaceful, they just make you smile. I will definitely consider adopting another one for a gift, as it’s just a great thing to do.”
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