Here’s our Gulf Coast Recovery update and our effort to help with our Casart Carryalls.
After the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in April, 2,079 birds, 456 sea turtles, some terrapins and 2 dolphins were rescued from the oil-covered water and cared for at rescue centers. Staff at the Audubon Aquatics Center in New Orleans are rehabilitating a young dolphin that was covered with oil and tooth scratches from being attacked by another dolphin. His muscles seized up so tightly from pain that he couldn’t swim. He needed both muscle and physical therapy. He had to re-learn how to move his tail up and down instead of from side to side. He and another adult dolphin had to be held up in the water 24 hours a day until they could swim on their own. About 50 sea turtles are still in captivity in rehabilitation centers. With winter weather upon us, none of the animals will be released until the weather is warmer. Caring for the animals is on-going, time-consuming and costly.
That is why we continue to offer our Casart Carryalls with 10% of proceeds donated to the Louisiana Gulf Response and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Both of these organizations continue to be involved in helping both the land and the people still affected by the oil spill. Louisiana Gulf Response has a Gulf Savers Bag program. The Gulf Saver Bag is a package of native marsh grasses with its own supply of totally natural nutrients and billions of oil eating micro-organisms to support, feed and protect the marsh grasses, promoting survival and growth to stabilize and restore the ecosystems and habitats. Each Gulf Saver Bag protects and restores one foot of wetlands. At this time each year they also assist the parishes with wetland restoration efforts by recycling Christmas trees and placing them into pre-constructed shoreline fences.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation made a grant from its Gulf Oil Spill Fund to help support critical services to fishermen—such as the Seedco Financial’s Southeast Fisheries Assistance Center.
When you purchase a Casart Carryall, you may select an organization or, if not, the donation will be divided between the two. It gives us a good feeling to continue to help in some small way and they are most appreciative of our efforts. “The Carryalls look amazing-Thanks again for organizing such a great fundraiser!” said Juliana Anderson of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
So if you need a gift for someone, won’t you consider one that gives in return?
– Lorre Lei
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