TCRF HOSTS SUCCESSFUL 4th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AND RAISES OVER $12,400
1 April 2015, Providenciales, TCI – The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) hosted its 4th Annual Cocktail Party and Fundraiser on 25 March 2015 at the Provo Golf Club. Approximately 110 people attended the event where they were greeted with a glass of champagne generously donated by the IGA Supermarket. The guests enjoyed a sampling of the wonderful hors d’oeuvres. Special guest, Rob Stewart, the producer, director and star of the award-winning film Sharkwater, provided the attendees with information about the important role sharks play in maintaining healthy reefs. The event raised $12,405.00 for the TCRF through ticket sales, a silent auction and a raffle for a half-day cruise on the White Sands, a 42-foot, Africat motor yacht kindly donated by White Sands Cruises. After expenses, the TCRF has over $10,400 to invest in its various projects around the Turks & Caicos Islands helping to preserve and protect the environment of the TCI.
“We want to thank everyone who attended for supporting us and the various businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the TCRF. “I have to extend a special thank you to the Provo Golf Club management and staff who helped to make the event such a big success and to Rob Stewart for his thought-provoking words. Congratulations also go out to Joel Goldfarb of New York who was the lucky winner of White Sands Cruises raffle prize.”
“We were very pleased to see how community support has grown over the past five years for our organization and the work we have undertaken thus far. We are Page 2 of 2 also very pleased that the Acting DEMA Director, Mr. Henry Wilson, attended the event as we have a very strong working relationship with his department. We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Wilson and DEMA on a responsible and comprehensive environmental strategy.”
“Our goal is to put 85 cents of every dollar raised into various projects we have underway throughout the islands. In fact, we raised $12,405 at the event last Wednesday and, after expenses, we are able to put 84% of those dollars, or over $10,400 into project work. Our biggest project at present is the installation, maintenance and expansion of snorkel, yacht and dive boat moorings around all the islands, but especially in the Marine National Parks throughout the TCI. We also continue to expand our educational programs with another scholarship this year for a TCI student to attend a summer session at the School for Field Studies on South Caicos and a new elementary education program on the marine environment which we plan to unveil in the Fall of 2015.”
About TCRF Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.