In just under two months, Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR) will partner with Baker’s Cay Resort for the second year to bring together the 2020 Connect to Protect gala.
Earlier last year, the DPMMR/Bakers Cay partnership culminated in DPMMR’s inaugural gala, raising nearly $40,000 for marine mammal conservation. The all-inclusive party celebrated DPMMR’s mission to conserve whales and dolphins, with over 150 guests attending. Hunter Kinney, assistant director of development for DPMMR, said that the hospitality and atmosphere of Baker’s Cay were an integral part of the 2019 gala’s success.
“We’re so lucky to have the partnership with Baker’s Cay for this event,” she said. “As organizers, we want the spirit of our gala to be similar to that of a dolphin, playful and fun. The team over at ‘The Cay’ really hit the nail on the head when it comes to capturing that spirit.”
Since opening in January 2019, Baker’s Cay has supported many local conservation organizations and has partnered with many of them to bring marine science into their resort experience.
“It is a sincere honor to partner with DPMMR. Their dedication to education and passion for our marine mammals is truly admirable,” said Joy Michelle Boyd, general manager of Baker’s Cay Resort. “We encourage our guests and community to visit DPMMR, enjoy a swim with the most loving dolphins and phenomenal staff and learn about the importance of our marine ecosystem and how they do it all with sustainability in mind.”
The 2020 Connect to Protect gala is slated for Saturday, Feb. 29, with doors opening for VIP guests at 5 p.m. The “all-inclusive” ticket price includes a three-course meal, an open bar for the duration of the evening, silent and live auctions, music and dancing. Some ticket options also include a year-long membership to DPMMR. More information is at www.dpmmr.org/gala.
Nancy Cooper, DPMMR’s president, said, “The gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year and the proceeds from this event have such a huge impact on our ability to provide top-notch care to our family of dolphins and to rescue and protect their wild counterparts.”
DPMMR leases a property in Key Largo specifically for rescue operations, which is necessary to prevent disease transmission for the seven animals that call DPMMR headquarters home. Proceeds from this year’s gala will help cover this annual lease, enabling the organization to continue its rescue mission throughout the Florida Keys. DPMMR is currently seeking sponsors for the 2020 Connect to Protect gala as well as donations for the silent auction, live auction and raffles. Interested parties can contact Kinney at hunterk@dpmmr.org.
About DPMMR
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR) is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Key Largo that is dedicated to marine mammal conservation worldwide through their active involvement in education, research, and rescue. The organization covers over 10,000 square miles of marine habitat in the Florida Keys where they are responsible for responding to any whale or dolphin in need of human help. Further, the organization cares for 8 permanent-resident dolphins at their facility headquarters where they connect guests from around the world through their many dolphin-interaction programs and demonstrations. Finally, the organization has many ongoing research projects that directly benefit the conservation of wild whales & dolphins.
