The following information is a media advisory describing many different relief efforts made or in progress by Florida`s attractions for the victims of Hurricane Katrina…
The following information is a media advisory describing many different relief efforts made or in progress by Florida`s attractions for the victims of Hurricane Katrina . For detailed information, please call the telephone number listed for each individual attraction or go on-line and visit the individual attraction`s website.
CYPRESS GARDENS ADVENTURE PARK (Winter Haven) Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida will offer free admission to the park to victims of Hurricane Katrina through the end of September. Free admission will be available through the Will Call window at the park by showing a valid ID from the storm-ridden areas. Various agencies working with the hurricane victims have also been notified of the offer and will work with the park officials to identify those who would enjoy a day at the parks. In other relief efforts, Cypress Gardens worked with the local Red Cross Chapter and held a fund-drive during their Labor Day concert featuring Dwight Yoakam.
DAYTONA USA (Daytona Beach) “The Official Attraction of NASCAR” and home to the NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, will host a blood drive for the Florida Blood Centers in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Second Harvest Food Bank will also be on site at the attraction collecting canned goods and other supplies in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER (Grassy Key) Dolphin Research Center contributed a certificate for two Dolphin Splash experiences (total value $200) to the VISIT FLORIDA “Getaways for Gulf Aid” event.
EVERGLADES ALLIGATOR FARM (Miami) The Everglades Alligator Farm contributed complimentary admission tickets for the attraction to the VISIT FLORIDA “Getaways for Gulf Aid” auction package. The attraction has also contributed to Samaritan`s Purse and shipped children`s stuffed animals to the Official Florida Welcome Center on Interstate 10 outside of Pensacola, Florida.
THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM (Tampa) As reports of massive damage come in from the Gulf Coast, The Florida Aquarium anticipates many residents devastated by Hurricane Katrina will be in need and The Florida Aquarium has extended a helping hand to their colleagues at The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Many Aquarium of the Americas staff have lost everything. In an effort to provide support for our friends in New Orleans, a donation box has been set up in The Florida Aquarium lobby to raise funds. Checks can be made out to The Florida Aquarium, Inc, for: Hurricane Relief Effort. 100% of donations will go directly to help employees and families who have suffered loss by Hurricane Katrina.
HISTORIC BOK SANCTUARY (Lake Wales) Historic Bok Sanctuary will be holding a very special “Benefit at Bok” on Saturday, September 24, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Historic Bok Sanctuary will donate all visitor admission proceeds to Habitat for Humanity to assist in Hurricane Katrina housing reconstruction efforts in the Gulf Coast area. Admission is $8 for adults; $3 for children ages 5-12; children under 5 and members free. The “Benefit at Bok” will include great door prize drawings, great music by Fat Frank and the Plank Spankers – Blues and Zydeco from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Special Carillon Recitals scheduled at 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m., and free hot dogs and Coke fountain drinks. Visitors may spend all day enjoying the gardens and family-friendly areas, open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, many members of the Florida
Attractions Association have donated items to help raise additional funds during the Event.
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS WILDLIFE STATE PARK (Homosassa) Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park donated five sets of complimentary passes (each good for two adult admissions) to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for VISIT FLORIDA`S “Getaways for Gulf Aid” fund-raising effort for Hurricane Katrina survivors relief. Park employees and volunteers are collecting stuffed animals to send to the children in shelters in the Gulf region affected by Hurricane Katrina.
JUNGLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT (Fort Lauderdale) Jungle Queen Riverboat has made both a generous monetary donation and sent supplies to the victims of the hurricane.
LION COUNTRY SAFARI (Loxahatchee) On Friday, September 9, 2005, a few hundred hurricane Katrina evacuees enjoyed the opportunity to experience one of Palm Beach County`s top local attractions, Lion Country Safari. These special guests, staying in Boynton Beach, toured Lion Country Safari`s drive-through preserve in buses and also entered Safari World Amusement Park. The evacuees were treated to lunch and beverages donated by Gordon Food Service, Sysco Food Service, US Food Service and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company. After lunch, they enjoyed a visit from Lion Country Safari`s mascot, Rory and explored the attractions of Safari World including: giraffe feeding, Ferris wheel, petting zoo, mini golf, paddle boats, bird feeding, animal demonstrations and Safari Splash water attraction. Lion Country Safari gave each guest a Lion Country Safari tote filled with safari-themed goodies including socks, back scratchers, drink sippers, fanny packs, etc. Lion Country Safari marketing manager, Jennifer Berthume worked strongly with Palm Beach County Commissioner Warren Newell`s office to coordinate efforts. In addition to donating admission and lunch to these guests, Lion Country Safari is encouraging staff to donate to hurricane recovery efforts by matching employee contributions. The total donation will be split between the American Red Cross and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, for zoo and aquarium relief.
LOWRY PARK ZOO (Tampa) Tampa`s Lowry Park Zoo has joined a national fundraising initiative with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) to bring assistance to AZA partner organizations on the Gulf Coast, specifically the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, and the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans. Lowry Park Zoo will collect monetary donations to help provide immediate and long-term relief to the New Orleans AZA facilities, including staff and their families, and the animals in their care. Zoo visitors can make a donation at the front gate, or in the near term, can visit www.lowryparkzoo.com to make a donation online. All donations will be channeled directly to aid the Audubon facilities and their staff and families affected by the hurricane. The executive committee of the
AZA Board of Directors will handle the distribution of the funds.
MIAMI CHILDREN`S MUSEUM (Miami) On Sunday, September 18th, Miami Children`s Museum hosted a T-shirt decorating workshop where children of all ages were able to do their part to brighten the lives of those affected by the hurricane. The workshop was set up with 324 youth sized t-shirts which were donated to the museum by Swago Custom Apparel of Fort Lauderdale. Those wanting to participate in this workshop were asked to give a $5.00 donation which will go to the Association of Children`s Museums fund which will aid in the rebuilding of children`s museums affected in the Gulf Coast region. The museum is also committed to several ongoing relief efforts and have partnered with Bimini Island Air, The Bite TV, Bacardi USA, The Billfish Foundation and Island Fishing Adventures and The Mississippi State Trooper and Law Enforcement Relief Funds, to provide immediate relief to those affected by the effects of Katrina. We encourage the public to drop off canned goods, bottled water, clothing and shoes, mosquito repellent and gloves at the Miami Children`s Museum located at 980 MacArthur Causeway, Sunday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. In an effort to provide relief to those displaced by the hurricane, all families who have been relocated to the Miami area from Louisiana and Mississippi will be granted free admission to the Miami Children`s Museum with valid Louisiana and Mississippi identification.
MIAMI METROZOO (Miami) Miami Metrozoo joined the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) effort to assist the affected Gulf Coast Region zoos by collection of contributions from the Metrozoo staff, Zoological Society of Florida Board of Directors and staff and visiting public. These collections will continue until September 30, 2005. Collection containers were also placed at point of sale locations to benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief effort. These contributions will assist the people in the affected areas of the Gulf Coast region.
MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDEN (Delray Beach) The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens hosted a special fundraising concert event on Saturday, September 17, 2005. The concert featured the exceptional taiko drumming group “Fushu Daiko” and was created to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Guests dined at The Cornell Café and enjoyed a cocktail reception on the museum terrace. The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks finale. Admissions proceeds are being donated to the American Red Cross. Literally translated, Fushu Daiko means “Florida`s Big Drum.” The Broward County-based taiko drumming group was formed 15 years ago and is comprised of people from all over the world. They have been credited by Ko Kodaira, the former Consulate General of Japan in Miami, for creating a greater understanding of the Japanese culture in the community and for strengthening the bonds between Florida, the USA, and Japan. Fushu Daiko is a favorite of members and guests of The Morikami where they have performed at a number of festivals over the years. Most recently they performed to standing-room only crowd at The Morikami`s Bon Festival on August 13, 2005. Their next appearance at the Museum will take place the Oshogatsu Festival in January 2006. Fushu Daiko, Atlas Party Rental, Zambelli Fireworks Internationale and Kirin Beer generously donated their products and services for the evening.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY AND AQUARIUM (Sarasota) “MOTE AIDS GULF COAST RELIEF EFFORTS” The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) of the University of Southern Mississippi in Oceans Springs, MS, sustained heavy damage from Katrina. GCRL has been a great research partner in many of Mote Marine Laboratory`s studies over the years, and Mote instantly began organizing relief efforts to assist colleagues during this difficult time.GCRL has more than 200 faculty, staff and students and about 15 buildings. Two buildings were completely lost and all other buildings, except one, were flooded. The organization also lost the public Marine Science Education/Aquarium building. More than one-third of staff`s homes have been lost. GCRL is presently assessing their immediate needs to protect what they have, help their staff meet basic needs, and secure their scientific assets. Mote trustees, staff and volunteers began a collection of needed goods in addition to cash donations immediately following the storm. Dr. Patrick Biber (GCRL staff) and Loretta Leist of Mote Marine Laboratory traveled to the area with a 25-foot truck filled with donations. The truck contained high priority items including: personal hygiene products, medical supplies, cleaning products, mosquito repellent, as well as tools and gear to begin the massive recovery effort. The supplies being delivered to Mississippi ensures that they can get to our colleagues and friends in a timely fashion. In addition to the supplies, $2,000 in cash has been sent to GCRL thanks to the generosity of the individuals throughout MOTE.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO (Orlando) SeaWorld Orlando and parent company, Anheuser-Busch, continue to provide support to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Relief efforts have included the distribution of more than 3.5 million cans of drinking water, a donation of $1 million to the Red Cross (and additional matching), communicating job opportunities for evacuees displaced to the Central Florida area, and providing expertise and resources in caring for marine life and animals affected by the storm. Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 3.5 million cans of drinking water and is currently producing nearly 2 million cans a week to satisfy tremendous demand for water.
We will continue donating the water as long as it is needed. The Anheuser-Busch Foundation has made a donation of $1 million to the Red Cross to help ongoing relief efforts along the Gulf Coast communities devastated by the storm. In addition, the company is matching contributions made by its employees to the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and is matching up to an additional $1 million from its independent wholesalers nationwide. SeaWorld is working closely with the Red Cross and the Orlando region to communicate job opportunities to evacuees displaced to the Central Florida area. The opportunities include seasonal and part-time jobs. SeaWorld Orlando is lending its resources and expertise in caring for marine animals as the central Florida attraction provides care and housing for 15 sea lions whose facility, Marine Life Park in Gulfport, Miss., was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. After quarantine, the animals will make their temporary home at SeaWorld`s Pacific Point Preserve. The park is also working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Central Florida to help homeless and abandoned pets. SeaWorld also continues to communicate with the local chapters of the Red Cross, United Way and Salvation Army to determine what further support is needed.
ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM ZOOLOGICAL PARK (St. Augustine) The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is offering a 50% discount on admission for all Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana residents with valid state ID`s.
ST. AUGUSTINE LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM (St. Augustine) The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is working to support the Louisiana Children`s Museum in New Orleans by providing games, toys, crayons, coloring books. Lowe`s, Supermarkets including Publix and Winn-Dixie, Home Depot and PODS of Clearwater, along with the Junior Service League of St. Augustine, Inc. are also supporting this effort. The project is the brainchild of Julia Bland, Executive Director of the Louisiana Children`s Museum, a museum deeply affected by the hurricane. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is also working to help raise funds for the United States Coast Guard Foundation to support the needs of 2200 men, women and children who are the family members of USCG personnel. These families lived on the Gulf Coast and lost their homes and belongings. As the USCG was bringing the first victims to safety, sometimes under gunfire, they left behind family members who were also very much in need. With federal money pouring in for the equipment and personnel needed to do the job, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum learned that the USCG Foundation had raised some $150 per person to help rebuild lives of their own personnel. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is also working with the United Way and St. Johns County Visitor & Convention Bureau in offering employment for those displaced by the hurricane.
WALT DISNEY WORLD (Orlando) The Walt Disney World Resort, under the guidance of Disney`s Animal Kingdom and Animal Programs, is providing support to the Audubon Nature Institute, which includes the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species – all located in New Orleans. Our contribution of $50,000 is going toward a fund raising effort for these institutions that is being coordinated by the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association).
WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME and IMAX THEATER (St. Augustine) The World Golf Hall of Fame is offering free admission to the museum, IMAX Theater and 18-hole natural grass putting course for all hurricane evacuees who show a Louisiana, Alabama, or Mississippi driver`s license.
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