It’s challenging
Running a rehab center for sea turtles has always been a challenge. When we admitted our first patient over a dozen years ago we were on our own; there was no manual on how to care for sick turtles. Over the years we’ve pretty much written the book on how to do it, with the ongoing guidance and support of our colleagues at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State and our vet, Dr. Craig Harms (who also sits on our Board of Directors.) Our success has resulted in our biggest challenge ever - the need for a larger facility.

Now we’re asking you to directly participate in building our new hospital through "The Family Giving Challenge." And you’re going to be the ones to define exactly who makes up your "family." It might be the traditional mom/dad/kids/dog family, with grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins thrown in. Or maybe there’s a group of you at work, or you’re part of a gang who has been friends since grade school. You probably hang out together and plan things as a "family." It could be that your family consists of the people you attend church with, or an organization you belong to. Our hospital volunteers are part of the "turtle family." We take care of and support each other through the good and bad times. We think that’s a perfect definition of family, and our family needs your family’s help to get the walls up and a roof over our turtles’ heads.

So here’s how you step up to our challenge. First, visit our website: www.seaturtlehospital.org and request the official giving form from our Webmaster. Decide who’s in your family, then put your game faces on and come up with some creative ways to get together your $1,000 donation for our building fund. And don’t think your children are too young to participate in the planning! We have an astounding number of kids who request donations for our patients in lieu of a birthday present. And these kids give repeatedly, year after year. Toddlers to teens show up at our summer open house lugging heavy bags of coins for our turtles; money they earned from lemonade stands, bake sales, special sporting events and chores; often hundreds of dollars in coins. And we’re very heartened by the moms, dads and grandparents who are so quick to pull out their checkbooks on their way out the door after visiting us. When you "spread the wealth" you’ll be surprised how quickly those dollars add up to $1,000. You can be a "family" of one: or you can be "the one" in your family who spearheads this challenge. You make the rules. 

Photo: From our family to yours - Happy Thanksgiving!

When you’re ready to submit your donation just fill out the form and mail it to us per the instructions. Your family name will appear on a plaque, which will be permanently displayed in our new facility. You can also make your donation anonymously if you wish. How proud will you be when you bring your friends and relatives through our new building and point to your family’s name on the wall! You’re literally getting in on the ground floor of our much-needed state-of-the art rehabilitation facility. Flipper hugs in advance.

Still time to "adopt" for the holidays!
Check out our revised and updated "Adopt A Rescued Sea Turtle" program when you’re looking for a unique holiday or special occasion gift. Our website (www.seaturtlehospital.org) has a list of patients up for adoption, and with one click you’ll be on your way to playing a part in their feeding, medication and rehabilitation. There’s a level of giving for every budget, every occasion. The hardest part? Deciding which of those smiling faces you love the most.

We’ve had numerous requests over the past year to expand this program, and now we’re happy to roll it out just in time for the holidays. It’s a unique present for someone you love, and that can include YOU! It’s also a great framework for presenting environmental issues to classrooms, and a worthwhile project for scouts and other youth/adult groups. Visit our website today to get your adoption certificate, photo and cool turtle-gear (based on adoption level.) We’ll be sure to mention your name to your new flippered friend at mealtime.

Expect stunning results
We’ve got no complaints about the balmy seventy-degree days we’re still getting into late Fall. But we know that the weather here on the coast can turn on a dime and the nights can dip into the thirties. That’s what we call cold-stun season for sea turtles. We continue to ask all of you to watch for any turtles acting un-turtle-like: just floating, and not swimming, diving or surfacing periodically to take deep breaths. These are the classic signs of a cold-stun, and we need to get them into treatment ASAP.

All sea turtles are federally protected animals. Harassing or interfering with them in any way is punishable by a hefty fine and/or imprisonment. Please report any incidents of cold-stuns, injury, stranding or harassment to our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer at 910-470-2880 immediately.

"The Turtles Are (getting closer to) Coming"
Our supporters at the Surf City Artist Guild are making a lot of progress in placing those three-foot fiberglass turtles with artists who have applied to rehabilitate (i.e.; decorate) them in preparation for "release" to the public for display. Next year the turtles will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to our hospital. If you’re interested in participating contact Ellen, 910-330-4077, or Jane, 910-327-9680. You can also request information via e-mail: artexpo@gmail.com