Join our Online Auction - and "World Turtle Party"
Welcome to our "World Turtle Celebration" - announcing "H2O Planet" (a new 501c3 Nonprofit Charity, created by Enfield Scuba Divers). Partnering with Riverside Reptiles Education Center (home of the nonprofit "Conservation and Education Reptile Rescue") - and with the dedicated team from "The Turtle Room", we're collaborating together for Environmental Conservation, Ocean Preservation, and Protecting Endangered Species.
Join us as we celebrate TURTLES - and take meaningful steps towards a Healthier Planet! On land or at sea, everyone loves Turtles! Did you know...
- Turtles have been on Earth for 200 million years (and pre-date many dinosaurs), yet more that 52% of species are now on Endangered or Threatened Lists - including almost EVERY Sea Turtle. (Humans are the cause - from pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and pet exploitation.)
- Turtles grow slowly, mature late, and can live a LONG time (up to 150 years). While their "slow and steady lifestyle" worked in the past, they're now struggling to survive (and once removed from Earth's Ecosystem, populations may never reappear).
- Oceans face similar challenges: 97% of the Planet's Water (and 94% of Inhabitants) are found within Oceans - yet only 8% of Oceans are protected. For "World Turtle Day", we're fundraising together - to raise awareness and resolve problems.
*** YOU can help, too! We've planned 2 different Events: #1) a Virtual Online Auction (from 5/23 to 6/4).... and #2) An In-Person Turtle Party (on Friday, 5/30 - with Dessert Buffet, Animals, and Raffles - held at an Indoor Conservation Zoo) in Enfield, CT. Donations are welcome - even if you can't attend the Party - through the "Tickets Page" or clicking the "Donate Now" Button on this site. Please be sure to explore the special "Bonus Goodie Bag Prizes" being offered to our first "Legacy Donors", to thank everyone for supporting our causes. For more details:
**** Event #1 - "Online Virtual Auction" *** - is open to EVERYONE (and free to view all the Prizes from home on your phone). (Auction Prizes include Autographed Sports Memorabilia, Amusement and Theater Tickets, Animal Experiences, Vintage Furniture, Jewelry, Dive Gear, Museums, IQ Tests, Wine Classes, Board Games, Quilts, Star Wars, Star Trek, Megalodon Shark Teeth, Pokemon - and even Harry Potter Movie Props and the rarely-seen John Langlois Record Album. Many bids start at just $10: anyone can participate (and all donations are 501c3 tax-deductible as we are approved "Public Charities").
Note: The Virtual Auction is ONLINE and functions similar to eBay(TM); if you'd like to bid, just register and bid from anywhere, on your own laptop or phone. The Auction is open online, from 5/23 through 6/4. Winning Bidders, nationwide, may receive items by Mail or Email - or have free pickup in Enfield, CT at completion of the Bidding. We've also included Bonus Options to become the first "Legacy Donors" (and join our "Sea of Supporters" saving Oceans) - or to sponsor a Rescued Animal. Online Auction Participation is open to EVERYONE: anyone nationwide may Bid on an item, offer items for Auction, or share Donations for the Nonprofit Charities. Please feel free to also sign up for our Newsletter (through the Auction Page, to learn about upcoming events, without having to place a Bid). We hope everyone enjoys the UNIQUE items you'll discover online (and great deals) in our First Online Auction!
**** Event #2 - "World Turtle Celebration Party" *** - is also open to everyone - but is an In-Person Ticketed Event. It takes place Friday Night, May 30th at Riverside Reptiles Zoo (at 132 South Road in Enfield). At the "Turtle Party" you'll meet REAL Endangered Turtles (plus 100 other species in their beautiful 13,000 foot Indoor Zoo - with fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, and even an Alligator). (Don't worry: most animals will be safely inside enclosures but we'll have special "Ambassador Animals" making in-person appearances throughout the Event.) This family-friendly "After Hours Party" is open from 5pm to 8pm and includes a Dessert Buffet, In-Person Raffles, Animal Interactions, Author Book-Signing (with Anthony Pierlioni from The Turtle Room), Photo Opportunities on The Turtle Terrace, After-Hours Admission to Riverside Zoo, drinks and Adult Beverages (for those age 21+).
Note: This is a TICKETED-ONLY EVENT, as a FUNDRAISER for the 3 Charities. Tickets are only $15 each (and help support food and medications for Rescued Animals). Each Guest must have a Ticket to enter. Please choose your "Preferred Arrival Time"; arrive at the Party - and then stay as long as you like. On the "Buy Tickets" Page, please select either a "5pm", "6pm" OR "7pm" Arrival. (Food, Raffles, and Party will be identical during all the timeslots.) *** We've also included options for a $25 "Bonus Arrival Ticket": this provides the same Party Admission as the $15 Ticket, but with a BONUS tax-deductible Charity Donation of $10 (which will directly support the Riverside Animals with your Admission Ticket). As an EXTRA BONUS, Guests choosing the $25 "Bonus Admission" (to help the animals) will also receive a BONUS 10 FREE Raffle Tickets, for the In-Person Raffles. (Note: We recommend Advanced Online Ticketing to reserve your "Preferred Arrival Time" through this website. While some tickets may be available at the Door, there are limited openings for each timeslot (and we anticipate certain times will sell-out quickly, so want to ensure Guests are not disappointed).
*** Everyone can participate in the Online Auction (even if not attending the 5/30 Party). As an ADDED BONUS, there will be additional "In-Person Raffles", available only to In-PERSON GUESTS at the May 30th Party. In-Person Raffles will add more: Animal Experience Certificates, Gift Baskets, Gift Cards from local Restaurants, Dive Gear, Megalodon Shark Teeth, and more surprises. Guests may arrive at The Party at any time: Raffle Winners won't be drawn until the next day, so every In-Person Guest has the same equal chance to win prizes. Additional Raffle Tickets will be offered on-site; Guests who select the "Bonus Admission Ticket Option" receive "10 FREE Raffle Tickets" upon arrival (as a special "Thank You" for supporting the animals).
**** All of our Nonprofit Charities (H2o Planet (in partnership with Enfield Scuba), Conservation and Education Reptile Rescue (by Riverside Reptiles), and The Turtle Room - thank you for supporting our Educational and Conservation Missions. We're excited to see you at our First Partnership Event!
*** To make a direct Donation - please click on the "Donate Now Button" - or visit "H2O Planet's" new Website at https://H2O-Planet.org. There are a variety of Donation Options available, allowing visitors to contribute to specific causes, Sponsor an Animal, match donations from an Employer - or make a "Legacy Donation" in Memory or in Honor of a Loved One. We also welcome Volunteers at our Ocean, Beach, and State Park Clean-up Events.
*** To learn more about our activities, H2O Volunteers can be seen on the recent TV News, completing "Underwater Lake Clean-ups" throughout New England (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_euOWZMQdc) and working with the "Springfield Inner-City Youth School Dive Team" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs8V4tp6T6c).
Thank you for your support of this exciting Inaugural Charity Event, as we collaborate to create a better "Water Planet" for all of us!