Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder – the only nonprofit organization responsible for the rescue of sick and injured whales and dolphins throughout the Florida Keys – is making a return to in-person events with its third annual Connect to Protect gala on Saturday, May 7.
DPMMR hosted its last Connect to Protect gala in February 2020. Event organizers are looking forward to bringing DPMMR’s flagship fundraiser back to life.
“Coming off such a long break, we knew we had to plan an event that would make up for lost time. In our planning meetings, we kept circling back to one word which has become a central theme. That word is ‘re-imagined,’” said Hunter Kinney, one of the event organizers.
From venue to the program lineup, Kinney said, the team has evaluated every detail and aims to elevate this year’s event, while keeping the same “hometown” feel of DPMMR’s historic events. This year’s event will be held at Playa Largo Resort in the Tavernier Ballroom and will once again feature a three-course dinner, raffles and auctions, live music, DJs, and entertainment and an open bar for the duration of the event.
Kayla Lucero, a senior marine mammal specialist at DPMMR who has taken on a leadership role with this year’s gala, says she is excited about all the new “small” details being added this year, but is happy to see that the “bones” of the event aren’t changing.
“There are a few elements like the all-inclusive ticket price, the DJ and dancing, and great auction item lineup that remain constant – and that is how we are ensuring that the event stays true to its brand,” she said.
The second annual gala helped the organization raise over $80,000 for marine mammal conservation — specifically for initiatives to bring a marine mammal rehabilitation hospital to the Florida Keys. Nancy Cooper, president of DPMMR, wants guests who attended that gala to know, “We still have all the money we raised for the marine mammal hospital earmarked in an account and ready to go when the time comes to move forward with developing the (rehabilitation) facilities.”
DPMMR had plans to begin construction on a marine mammal rehabilitation facility, which would have allowed the organization to provide long-term care to sick and injured marine mammals. These plans had to be postponed due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 shutdown. DPMMR has not lost sight of its goals, but took the opportunity to re-evaluate the steps it will take.
“Like many nonprofit organizations navigating a pandemic for the first time, we had to sit down and draw up a new strategic plan, re-allocate and diversify resources, and re-align with our mission. During this process, we effectively developed a new strategic roadmap for how we can accomplish our mission to protect whales and dolphins,” Cooper said.
That includes steps to continually improve the welfare of the resident animals and increase income from daily programming. Throughout the pandemic, DPMMR has continued to respond to stranded whales and dolphins and conduct research on local populations of wild dolphins, initiatives that were funded by proceeds from guest programs and donations at the facility headquarters in Key Largo.
“The gala name ‘Connect to Protect’ is also our motto at DPMMR. Our goal is to connect the public with our resident marine mammals and teach them about marine conservation so that they will be inspired to help us protect marine life in the wild, all-the-while generating the funds necessary to support field conservation work with local populations, ” Cooper said.
The 2022 Connect to Protect gala is slated for Saturday, May 7, with doors opening for VIP guests at 5 p.m. and general admission at 6 p.m. Some ticket options include a year-long membership to DPMMR and access to the VIP cocktail hour and lounge during the event. More information is at www.dpmmr.org/gala. The organization is still filling sponsorship opportunities with local businesses. Ticket prices increase on April 15.
