- November 18, 2024
Loading
As the sun set over Sarasota Bay, the lawn of Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens filled up with chatter and clinking glasses, and rightfully so.
As saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. This year, seabird supporters proved that true at the biggest fundraiser ever for Save our Seabirds.
Save our Seabirds Sixth Annual Sunset Soiree brought nearly 250 supporters together March 30 for an evening of food, fun and feathers. The event is usually held at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, but this year, the Sunset Soiree switched to a location that allowed for a front-row view of a Sarasota sunset to match its namesake.
The event began with a cocktail hour complete with hors d'oeuvres, photo opportunities with birds and a silent auction. To add a little sparkle to the event, a one-carat diamond was attacked to one of 100 glasses of champagne that were offered for sale. The other 99 glasses had cubic zirconium to to the stems. As attendees circled the table checking the tiny bags and making their best guesses, it was clear the real diamond was the star.
But Save our Seabirds CEO David Pilston said his favorite part of the evening was seeing all the supporters.
“We’ve come so far in the last two years, and it’s all because of these people,” he said.