Your Donation Has Been doubled!
You and Mr. Friendly have turned his $100,000 into more than $200,000 in less than 8 weeks to help save the West Klosterman Preserve. Thank you. But there’s still more to do. Now we have to raise the rest of our commitment to match Pinellas County’s $1.5MM. We can do this! You can make a donation to match Pinellas County’s contribution here.
John Gilliss, known in Tampa Bay as “Mr. Friendly”, shares a passion for protecting and preserving Florida’s natural beauty and resources that has been the mission of the WK Preservation Group as we have worked to save the West Klosterman Preserve.
In a visit to the Preserve in late July, John decided that the preservation effort was well worth committing an additional matching contribution and pledged to do so on the spot.
So our matching campaign continued, and on August 25, the new goal of $100,000 was met.
About Mr. Friendly
For many years, John’s reputation has been based on providing value to Tampa Bay’s citizens both through his successful auto dealership and through providing support to the community with the charitable and benevolent causes he has
championed. He is one of the proponents of the Tides of Time historical preservation project in New Port Richey along with many other projects that help ensure we preserve what’s important for future generations.
With his family roots in the eastern shore of Maryland, then moving to Pinellas and Pasco counties, John has seen extensive development change the nature of our rich coastal heritage over the years. And he recognizes that our focus has long needed to shift from full development to maintaining a balance of preservation of what we have with sustainable development of what we need, both necessary to assure the quality of life for us today and for future generations.
John sees the West Klosterman Preserve project as an important milestone on the road to preserving the few remaining natural habitat sites in Pinellas and Pasco counties and has provided a total of $100,000 to match your donations and raise a total of $200,000 to save the West Klosterman Preserve.”
$50 that will be $100
$100 that will be $200
$500 that will be $1000
or more!
Thank You!
Mr. Friendly's Matching
Challenge Goal Reached
NONPROFIT 501(C) (3)
Show your support Today!
- Mr. Friendly’s matching campaign was successful thanks to you, but we still need to meet our $3 million goal. Even if you’ve donated in the past, please consider donating again.
- If you know someone we can contact who would want to support our cause, let us know at info@wkpreserve.com
- Share our social posts and tell your friends – “Hey, did you hear that the WK Preserve folks have until September to match Pinellas County’s contribution and save the West Klosterman Preserve? Did you know that your donation can be doubled in their matching campaign?”
- Does your employer offer a donation matching program?
- Do you know a company who might want to join our Preservation Sponsorship Program?
- Join us at one of our events to build support for the Preserve. Go to Events.
- Look for creative ways to show your support and share your ideas for fundraising with us!
our supporters and what they are saying
Mission
To preserve the natural heritage of open space land by protecting its natural forest, plant life, and all native animals in their community.
Vision
We envision accomplishing this through education and collaboration for the benefit of present and future generations.
Entrusted to Act
Seeking to Protect Pinellas County’s disappearing undeveloped sites.
