Reef Fund Annual Fund Raiser Brings In Over $17,000

Turks & Caicos News - January 2013

Reef Fund Annual Fund Raiser Brings In Over $17,000

The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund held its second annual cocktail party fundraiser which saw many supporters including local government, businesses, and both local and foreign national patrons come together and raise thousands of dollars for the continued maintenance and sustainment of our reef system.

January 26 was a night of socializing, charity, and awareness at the Grace Bay Club where the TCRF hosted their fundraiser. Over 140 people attended the event, sipping champagne and enjoying hors d’oeuvres as Don Stark, chairman of the TCRF, and David Stone, Deputy Chairman, thanked those in attendance for their continued support and reiterated the progress and overall mission of the TCRF.

“We want to thank everyone who attended for supporting us and the various businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction, said Stark. In addition to raising money through ticket sales the event also featured a silent auction along with a raffle for a three night stay at Parrot Cay. After expenses the event collected nearly $15,000 in total for the organization.

“We were very pleased to see how community support has grown for our organization and the work we have undertaken thus far. We are also very encouraged that the DEMA Director, Ms. Kathleen Wood, the Minister of the Environment, the Honorable Porsha Stubbs-Smith and the Governor, His Excellency Ric Todd all attended this event and expressed their support of our efforts,” said Stone.

So far the TCRF has put a majority of their focus into repairing or replacing the various dive and snorkel boat moorings throughout the islands. Grand Turk and Salt Cay have received supplies from TCRF that have allowed them to replace 16 moorings around their islands and the TCRF have already replaced eight of the moorings around Providenciales. Proceeds will also fund improvements and maintenance to the snorkel trails on the islands and an education effort to increase the knowledge of the importance of maintaining the environment to the children around the islands.

Another project the TCRF looks to tackle is offering incentives to local fisherman in order to catch the invasive lionfish species in the TCI. They have begun communicating with local restaurants to gauge interest in those looking to serve the fish and will continue to work toward completing a plan that benefits all involved while promoting the health of the environment.

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Written by Turks & Caicos Free Press Newspaper, January 30, 2013.