Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Well, humans, you did it again. Key Largo residents proved that when it comes to showing up for community, compassion and a good cause, the Florida Keys never disappoint.
On Aug. 27, nearly 100 of you boarded the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat for our annual Pawsitive Beginnings Day Sunset Cruise, and raised over $10,000 to keep me and my fellow foxes living our best lives at the sanctuary.
I heard the night was everything I could have dreamed of: laughter, heartfelt stories and a whole lot of humans rallying for foxes. You dined on delicious food from Seaside Eatery and sweet treats from Healthy D’Lites (both gave a generous 50% discount; now, that’s what I call a sweet deal). Toss in some cocktails and those killer sunset views, and the vibe was pure Keys magic. Even the skies cooperated; rainbows arched just before the cruise set sail, like the universe itself was giving a nod to our cause.
There also were some incredible humans at the microphone. Jacey Birch, Local 10’s Animal Advocate, delivered a powerful message about compassion, advocacy and standing up for animals like me. Ben Kemmer, CEO of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, reminded everyone why our partnerships matter so much for vulnerable kids in this community. And Jackie Ducci, founder of the Human-Animal Alliance, spoke about the healing power of animals and the ripple effect of our work here at Pawsitive Beginnings.
And let’s not forget the amazing sponsors who made this cruise possible. Huge thanks to the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat, the Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation, Island Villa Construction, Keys Weekly Newspapers, Steel City Pharmacy Solutions, Island Nails By Tania, the Andrew Burr Group, HNO Productions, Barbara Froelich, Rosie and Nelson Sanchez, and Kelly Dziubek Matacena. Because of you, this wasn’t just another fundraiser, it was a true celebration of resilience, both human and animal.
Of course, none of this magic happens without our guests. You bought tickets, bid on one-of-a-kind fox statues, and showed up in full force. Every single dollar raised goes straight toward the daily care of me and my seven fox friends, and keeps our animal-assisted therapy programs running for kids and adults across Monroe County.
From the bottom of my overly-dramatic heart, thank you.
Until next time, Reef, over and out!
