Hurricane Helene
The WK Preservation Group is dedicated to supporting our community. Our heart and hope extends to everyone who experienced devastating loss due to Hurricane Helene. Read on to find ways to support hurricane relief efforts in Pinellas County, or find resources yourself.
In this newsletter, you will find Preserve updates and resources to help with rebuilding local environmental organizations.
We will continue to keep you informed about our fundraising progress and gratefully continue accepting donations.
For any updates, please check out our home page, wkpreserve.com, or our Frequently Asked Questions page at wkpreserve.com/FAQ.
Let this be a reminder that: It’s okay to ask for help and you are not alone. Your community is here to help and support you through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Celeste & the WKPG Team
Help Needed:
Seaside Seabird Sanctuary (SSS)
A note from the Sanctuary:
We are doing everything we can to build back the sanctuary as soon as possible. It will be a long road back to our normal operations of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing birds in need as well as caring for the over 100 birds that call our beachfront campus home, but we know that by working together with our amazing community, we can get back on our feet and settle our feathers!
Wish List:
Donate:
Click Here to Donate to Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
Website:
Facebook:
Please feel free to message the Sanctuary using the Facebook above with any questions
Volunteer
The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is seeking volunteers to join them this Saturday and Sunday (October 5th and October 6th) from 10am-6pm!
Address: 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL 33785
All participants must be over the age of 18, provide a photo ID and sign the clean-up waiver provided at entry to the event. Volunteer activities will be physically demanding (moving debris, shoveling, cleaning enclosures, removing sand, etc.) and a majority of the work will be outdoors. Please bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and a boxed lunch, and wear long pants with closed-toe shoes. If you are able to bring work gloves and protective eyewear, it is highly recommended!
Parking will be across the street in the Fifth Third Bank parking lot. Clean-up will be from 10am-6pm, but participants are not required to work for the full duration.
Photos Credited to: Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA)
Wish List:
Donate:
Click Here to Donate To Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Website:
www.cmaquarium.org/hurricane-
CMA is also accepting pre-owned items for local donations.
Email donate@cmaquarium.org for information on how to donate.
Please ship donated items to the following address:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Warehouse
ATTN: Wishlist
1415 South MLK Jr. Ave
Clearwater, FL 33756
Help Available
Many organizations have responded to the need here in Tampa Bay and across the swath of Helene’s destruction. When searching for assistance, use good judgement and be wary of scams – check that the websites you use are valid and that the information they are asking for is reasonable.
If you’re unsure, you can always visit the main website of an organization to get their direct phone number, or ask family, friends, neighbors, or even local librarians to double check that the provider is a legitimate resource.
Here are a few county websites for the Tampa Bay area:
Pinellas County Emergency Information
Hillsborough County Emergency Information
How The WK Preserve Weathered The Storm
A message from our Official Preserve Tour Guide and Former Board Member:
Hi,
I am a resident in a neighborhood just to the west of the WK Preserve. I moved here and built a home in my neighborhood 29 years ago mostly because of the Preserve. Our neighborhood was 7 years old when I purchased the last available lot. I like to be in the woods or at least the feeling that I am in the woods. My lot was filled with trees, much like a nature park. I cleared a spot for my home by hand with a machete, it took 3 years. I did not remove any mature trees.
Our neighborhood is built partially on a hill and partially in a valley. The Preserve and its ability to soak up heavy rains keeps our neighborhood from being over inundated with flood waters. Luckily, we have a retention pond that allows rain to run down our paved driveways and paved street and into the pond. The amount of water produced from a typical afternoon storm during the summer months is amazing. If it were not for the Preserve next door, I am sure our pond’s capacity would easily be overwhelmed and our homes would be at risk of flooding.
The Preserve’s ability to contain and soak up the area’s rainwater is easily overlooked by many who reside in the area.
Thank you,
Brad Husserl
If you have questions, we want to answer!
Click here to see our FAQ (frequently asked questions)
for all other inquiries please contact us directly, info@wkpreserve.com
WK PRESERVATION GROUP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Formed in 2020, headquarters in Pinellas County, Florida
P O Box 1032
Tarpon Springs FL 34688
United States
wkpreserve.com
281 352 3244
Thank you for your donation!
Every dollar counts