June 2-4: Mote to hold give-a-thon in honor of World Oceans Day
In honor of this year’s World Oceans Day, Mote Marine Laboratory is holding a Give-a-Thon to help support its mission: today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans.
The Give-a-Thon is a 48-hour fundraising event from noon on Friday, June 2, through noon on Sunday, June 4. This year, thanks to the generous support of Gene and Anne Beckstein, each gift will be doubled up to $25,000. This support is critical: Mote is an independent, nonprofit institution that depends greatly on support from its community.
World Oceans Day is an international celebration and opportunity to honor, appreciate and help conserve the world’s oceans. World Oceans Day, celebrated internationally on June 8, was established in 1992 at the Earth Summit and declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2009 as a reminder of the importance of a healthy ocean and its impact on our future.
Here’s how the Give-a-Thon works:
- Donations must be made between noon on Friday, June 2, and noon on Sunday June 4.
- Donations can be made online at mote.org/give, over the phone by calling 941-388-4441 ext. 393 or by mailing a donation to Mote Marine Laboratory, Attn. Kate Knepper, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236.
- If the donation is made online, please select the “Unrestricted” designation.
- Checks can be made out to Mote Marine Laboratory.
- All gifts will be matched 1:1 up to $25,000 thanks to Gene and Anne Beckstein.
- Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
For questions on how to donate or to make your pledge in advance, please contact Kate Knepper from Mote’s Development Team, 941-388-4441 ext. 393.
Supporters can also learn about the oceans and how their donations make a difference during Mote’s World Oceans Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Mote Aquarium. The family festival is free with regular paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.
World Oceans Day at Mote will feature Jambo's Journey’s Jumbo Live, a family-friendly, interactive program that celebrates conservation and encourages children to protect marine life.
Guests will also enjoy the sounds of The Garbage Men, who teach sustainability through recycled musical instruments, along with face painting and a Kona Ice truck.
Mote is pleased to theme this year's World Oceans Day celebration "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," complementing Asolo Repertory Theatre's family-friendly summer production. For more info, visit asolorep.org.
Mote extends a special thanks event sponsors Wilde Insurance Services and Cityside Apartments.