Wildlife Refuge Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Staff reports

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving taking place November 28 that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

The ECWR pledges to raise funds for three major needs:

(1) A new Flight Cage for native birds to relearn flight after recovering from illness or injuries prior to release. Some of the many birds we have treated and release include Pelicans, Ospreys, Woodpeckers, Cranes, and many more birds.
(2) A new habitat for Dobby, a hairless opossum. Dobby is a non-releaseable opossum that currently lives in a small metal habitat indoors. The new habitat will be outdoors with protection from other wildlife and the elements.
(3) A Visitor Outreach & Education Center at our new location in Navarre.

#GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the United States), following the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, kicking off the holiday giving season and inspiring people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to charities and causes they support.

“We welcome the generosity and energy folks show during the GivingTuesday period to help the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge grow and mature in its animal rehabilitation and education efforts, especially as we are raising funds for our big move to the Refuge’ permanent location in new, custom built and designed facilities in 2018. Thanks, all for your caring and support,” stated Colonel Bill Andersen, USAF (Retired), ECWR President and Chairman of the Board.

Those who are interested in joining Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit http://www.EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge.org or facebook.com/emeraldcoastwildliferefuge/

About Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

The mission of the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is education, conservation and rehabilitation for the welfare of Florida’s natural fauna. ECWR provides wildlife rescue, rehab and release for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife to five counties in Northwest Florida. The Refuge rescues thousands of animals a year working closely with local law enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect, treat and release native species. The Refuge is the lead response team for the Federal Marine Mammal Stranding Network, assisting with all marine-mammal strandings from mid-Walton County to the Alabama state line. Run by a caring staff and dedicated volunteers, the ECWR is a 501(c)3 non-profit with headquarters located on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, FL, but will be moving to its new location in Santa Rosa County in 2018.
We are 100% donor funded by the support of generous individuals and businesses.

About #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesday falls on November 28. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.

#GivingTuesday was conceptualized by 92Y, a cultural center in New York City that since 1874, has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2016, the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, millions of people in 98 countries came together to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $177 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our sixth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners’ eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

Website: www.givingtuesday.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday
Twitter: twitter.com/GivingTues