It’s spring, and that means a busy time of the year for Save the Manatee Club volunteers. There are many events scheduled for Earth Day and other occasions, and we could use your help to educate others about manatees. Come volunteer with us as we set up education booths across the state at a variety of festivals and fairs. If you’re passionate about manatees and have some time to spare, fill out our Online Volunteer Application (see link on this page).
We Need Volunteers!
You can help Save the Manatee Club by becoming a Club volunteer. SMC volunteers staff tables at manatee-related events, engage in speaking presentations, help out in the SMC offices, write letters and send e-mails on issues of concern to manatees, and report information to manatee researchers. You can make a difference for manatees!
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our Online Volunteer Application.
For those wishing to inquire about earning community service hours at the Club’s office in Maitland, Florida, please do not fill out the Online Volunteer Application form. For eligibility and availability, contact Janice Nearing, the Club’s Volunteer Activities Coordinator, at jnearing@savethemanatee.org or call 407-539-0990.
Singer, local stand-up comedian, and community theatre actress – these are some of the many hobbies and interests of multi-talented Karen Ann Bunce from Altamonte Springs, Florida. Add devoted manatee fan and top-notch Save the Manatee Club volunteer to the list, too.
You’ll often see Karen Ann tabling for the Club at events around Central Florida, where she’ll haul a tent, table, chairs, and boxes of materials to the event site from her Prius, set up the tent, volunteer at the table all day, then break everything down at the end of the event, and lug it all back to her vehicle with never a grumble. Her lively, friendly wit and endless energy is refreshing to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her.
Volunteering for Save the Manatee Club for the last three years, Karen Ann is currently the adoptive parent of Lily. “I adore manatees,” she said. “Every time I see one, my heart melts. Being part of the Club has given me the opportunity to learn more about manatees, and the more I learn the more I want to know.”
Karen Ann remembers adopting her first manatee, Boomer, around 1986. “I cried when I received a notice that Boomer had passed away. I still have his picture on my refrigerator. Through the years I would adopt manatees for friends as gifts: Doc to a chiropractor, Lucille to my Aunt Lucille, Merlin to my husband who was a magician, etc. They make great gifts. After I moved back to Florida from Georgia, I realized I could give some time to help these beautiful beings. I didn’t know I would be having so much fun volunteering or meeting such fabulous people to volunteer with…that’s just a bonus.
“In appreciation for Karen Ann’s volunteer work, the Club presents her with this special Save the Manatee Club metal ornament in recognition as a “Volunteer of the Month” recipient.
Melissa and Mike Fishman from Rockledge in Brevard County, Florida wear their volunteer T-shirts and caps whenever they table at events for Save the Manatee Club. Join our volunteer team and earn points through the Volunteer Rewards Program to get your free shirt and cap.
Learn More
Earn It, Pin It, Show It!
Save the Manatee Club presents a variety of service pins to further recognize and honor the efforts and importance of our loyal volunteer/members. The special, customized pins are earned by registered volunteers who staff education tables for the Club at events, help out in our Maitland office, or give manatee presentations for the Club at local schools, libraries, etc. Wear the pins on the Club’s lanyard which holds the volunteer name tag, or on the Club’s volunteer cap or t-shirt.
See the Pins