The Central Caribbean Marine
Institute’s Festival of Trees fundraising event returns this holiday season.
Decorated Christmas trees will be
on display in the evenings from 22-26 November on Market Street at Camana Bay,
and the trees will be auctioned at a festival dinner on 27 November.
Christmas activities for children
will include educational stands, carol singing and an appearance by Father
Christmas.
“Whereas many of our fundraisers
are for specific projects within CCMI’s portfolio, the Festival of Trees is an
opportunity to raise money to support the upkeep of our Research Centre in
Little Cayman,” said CCMI’s Samantha Shaxted.
“We have a very full calendar of Sea Camps and Eco-Weekends for local
children in 2011, and some of the funds raised will help to support these.”
The money supports the operational
needs of the Little Cayman Research Centre, including laboratories, utilities,
building and equipment maintenance, salaries and facility supplies.
CCMI President Carrie Manfrino said
that the centre on Little Cayman has become a world-renowned site for coral
research and education.
“At the field station, CCMI has
established the first international and independent Coral Reef Early Warning
System,” she said. “This buoy is the
only weather station based in the ocean surrounding the Cayman Islands, so it
provides unique information on weather, storms, and on our coral reefs.”
With support from sponsors and
fundraising, CCMI has also established the Ocean Literacy campaign, the Green
Guide Series, and the Summer Sea Camp.
A free Decorating a Christmas Tree
workshop on 17-18 November, hosted by CCCI and Celebrations.
Individuals and organisations can
also sponsor a reusable wreath or table, or donate a gift to the event.
On Tuesday, 23 November, there will
be a tree lighting ceremony. The next two days will be filled with activities
for kids, including crafts face painting, and photos with Father Christmas. On
Friday, 26 November, Gary Ebanks will perform live on The Paseo.
CCMI hopes to raise more than
$50,000 from the event, according to Ms. Shaxted.
“This is a new format for us and a
much bigger event so there is an element of the unknown to it all,” she
said. “We obviously hope that it is
going to be a huge success!”
Contact Samantha
Shaxted at [email protected] for more information.
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