Save the Manatee Club

I was born in Florida and moved up north in 5th grade. Since a young age I was drawn to the manatees gentleness and wanted to help in any way I could. I began by adoption but when I recently moved back I decided that volunteering to educate others about manatees is just as important. They only have one natural enemy -humans-- and the speeding boats they maneuver!!!

I can't remember when or where I first saw a manatee, but it was love at first sight. When one first sees a manatee one thinks "they are so ugly, only a mother can love". Soon one sees their beauty and loves them and wants to protect their enviroment. The more one learns how endangered the manatee are the more one wants to help save this wonderful Florida treasure. Through contact with the legislature and by volunteering one can keep the plight of the manatee foremost in the minds of all who care. Every governor and elected offical vows to protect the manatee, but once in office they soon forget their promise. It is up to us, the volunteers, to constantly remind the politicians and the public that unless laws are made to slow down development and enforce speed zones where the manatee gather man will selfishly destroy this gentle creature. One must do all one can to Save the Manatee. Adopt a manatee and become a volunteer. Each one reach one and together we can make a difference!

I adopted a manatee last spring and also began volunteering. I am a Florida native and have told myself for years that I wanted to help out the Save the Manatee Club but never got around to it. I am so glad that I finally did...wheether you want to donate alot of your time or a little of your time, you can make a big difference. The more peope we have donating a little the bigger the impact. I occasionally man a booth for a few hours at various festivals. I have also done library presentations at the public libraries to children and their parents. It was so easy! SMC gave me the tools so it was minimal preparation. Please join us in this great cause.

I've always loved manatees, and I've always wanted to help save them in some way. For my 21st birthday, I adopted a manatee. From there I learned that I could volunteer for the Save the Manatee Club. Janice sends us emails letting us know what we can do in our area to help. I always go to the Gumbo Limbo Sea Turtle Day and sit at the booth for the club. I've also gone to pre-schools and taught children about manatees and what they can do to help protect them. It's very rewarding :)

I have done tables at "fairs" and presentations for children and adults at our local museum of natural history. At all times Janice Nearing and her predecessor have been wonderful on giving me plenty of information and support to make it possible for me to do a "super job". The opportunities keep coming in to do more public appearances to help the manatee survive in this hostile environment man has created. I am very glad to be able to do my share in educating people on the situation and very glad that there is an organization like the Save The Manatee Club to direct us.

At least 10 years ago when the Manatees were dying in large number due to Red Tide. I did not think there was anything I could do since I am in Los Angles and the manatees are in Florida. Becoming a Save the Manatee volunteer has allowed me to make a little difference and do something for my beloved Manatees. I participate at different local events where I have my Save the Manatee booth. It is always a great day. I am able to educated the public about manatees, share with others who know and love them, raise donations for Save the Manatee and just have a great time. The club is terrific about giving us the tools we need to educate and help share about the plight of the manatee. I have always felt I received much more from being a Save The Manatee volunteer than what little time I have given. Join today and you too can make a difference!

Over twenty years ago my spouse brought a newsletter home from a fledgling organization called the Save the Manatee Club. Looking through the newsletter I kept saying "somebody needs to do something" until the proverbial light bulb went on over my head that said "Hey, You're a Somebody!" My spouse and I have been volunteering for them ever since. They are completely committed to the cause of protecting the manatee whose sole enemies are humans, and educating everyone on what these gentle creatures are and what we can learn from them. GO SMC!!

Almost 20 years ago I adopted a manatee for my husband for Valentine's Day. That was the beginning of my involvement with Save the Manatee Club, and my husband and I have enjoyed staffing tables for SMC at several events over the years. It is very rewarding to see the look on children's faces, as well as adults, when we give them information about manatees. We feel strongly that we should be good stewards of this planet and the animals who share our planet, and we also feel strongly about our state animal, the manatee and their plight for survival. We have found that Janice Nearing and the staff at SMC provide all materials and information needed for an event, and they make volunteering a pleasant experience.

Along with Save the Manatees mission- I love this organization because they need volunteers constantly- so I immediately felt worthwhile and useful. Yes- mailings are part of many opportunities but so are face to face interactions with the public educating people about manatees. The employees at Save the Manatee are helpful and patient. I have been with this organization for about five years and I feel that I am making difference.

Save the Manatee Club performs the vital function of educating the children and adults of this nation about the plight of the endangered manatee by raising awareness of how every individual no matter how young or old can help preserve this gentle animal and its habitat.