2017 Party on the Pass raises funds for Mote’s animal hospitals
Mote Marine Laboratory would like to thank the guests who attended the 2017 Party on the Pass Friday, March 24, in support of Mote’s Dolphin, Whale & Sea Turtle Hospitals.
More than 400 people were transported to “a hot night in Old Havana” for an evening full of good food provided by local restaurants, good music and goodwill.
Mote Aquarium’s courtyard was decorated in hues of tropical pinks and greens reminiscent of Old Havana. Tables were decorated with palm fronds and citruses and sat under market string lighting. Guests danced to Cuban music performed by musician Renesito Avic as they sipped on “Mote”-jitos created by Siesta Key Rum.
A silent auction of 36 items including a private tour of the Ca' d'Zan and VIP tickets to the Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Film and Party, was held to raise funds for the animal hospital.
Mote's animal hospitals have rehabilitated more than 70 marine animals including dolphins and small whales since 1992 and more than 615 sea turtles since 1995, always with a goal of releasing the animals back to the wild.
Of the 615 sea turtles treated in Mote’s animal hospitals, more than 200 suffered from fibropapillomatosis, a little-understood disease that can cause life-threatening papilloma tumors in sea turtles.
