By Jamie Zimchek
Theo the Turtle is now swimming into stores near you, a cuddly, plush toy turtle with a very serious mission: raising money to support Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI). GWMI, based in Panama City Beach, is the largest sea turtle rehabilitation facility in northern Florida, and its only long-term facility for marine mammal rehabilitation. With a coverage area that extends over 130 miles of coast from St. Mark’s River to Ft. Walton Beach (as well as inland waterways), they’re tasked with handling a significant number of marine strandings. An established nonprofit, GWMI benefits greatly from volunteer efforts and other outside support.
That’s why PCB Life, part of Life Media, is excited to show their support by spearheading a new fundraising effort with Theo as the star. Starting this month, find Theo and a matching Theo keyring at select retailers in Panama City Beach, with all proceeds to benefit GWMI. “Any funds raised by the Theo partnership will contribute directly to the efforts of our sea turtle and marine mammal rehabilitation program,” says Lauren Albrittain, Stranding Coordinator at Gulf World Marine Institute. One of their fundraising priorities? Building a new operations center. “We are in the process of building a new building, and some of our fundraising efforts will go toward that,” explains Pam George, the general manager at Gulf World Marine Park. “We’re very excited to partner with Life Media on this and see how the project will grow, and how educating everyone on the safety of sea turtles will have a positive impact on our rescue work.”
Though Theo is new to Panama City Beach, he’s actually been around since 2018 when he was first introduced as part of a Life Media campaign in South Walton to benefit Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles (FOSWST). Then, Theo product sales raised $40,000 for FOSWST, and the hope is that he’ll generate the same stir in PCB. Now that he’s made his way one county over, you can find Theo at The Treasure Box, Pieces on the Beach, Gulf Coast Gift Shop, Salt Shed, Turtle Girls, Salty Mermaid, and the gift shop at Gulf World Marine Park.
So let’s say you run right out and pick up a Theo for your children, grandchildren, and neighbor children, that’s it, right? But why not go a step further and consider “adopting” one of the actual sea turtles in need at GWMI? For a $30 donation, you can become the “adoptive parent” of a stranded sea turtle, which makes for a pretty special way to make a difference, as well as some unusual bragging rights. There’s more. “People can go to our website to just donate, they can purchase our merchandise that’s available on the website, and there is the adoption program – we want to add that supporting doesn’t just mean the money side though,” adds Albrittain. “Pick up after yourselves at the beach, and if you see anything stranded, don’t push it back in the water.” Instead, call Florida Fish and Wildlife; they have a wildlife hotline for the whole state reachable by calling (888) 404-3922, or dial either *FWC or #FWC on your mobile phone (depending on carrier). Prospective volunteers can find more information and an application form at www.gwmi.info/volunteer-information.
In short, Christmas is just around the corner, and Theo is the kind of gift you can feel good about giving. Not only does he make a great stocking stuffer, but he also offers the perfect opportunity to teach the next generation about saving sea turtles specifically and wildlife conservation in general. It doesn’t get much better!
