Why We Give
Celebrating the Legacy of Mote's ‘Shark Lady'
Dr. Eugenie Clark founded the Mote Marine Laboratory in 1955 as a one-woman operation founded on the three basic principles of passion, philanthropy and partnership. Genie passed away earlier this year, but support will helps her vision live on. More
Oceans of Opportunity
Mote prides itself on its world-class research, conservation efforts and public education. In an effort to ensure long-term sustainability for future generations, Mote Marine Laboratory announced a comprehensive fundraising campaign, Oceans of Opportunity. More
Making Her Connection to Mote's Past, Present and Future
All members of Mote Marine Laboratory's Legacy Society have their own history and connections that drew them to the organization and inspired them to support Mote through a planned gift. Veronica Brady and her husband Jay have many connections. More
From 4-H Farm Girl to Mote Donor
Shirley Fein lives life to the fullest—from her humble beginnings on a dairy farm to exploring the marine world and meeting Jacques Cousteau. Now she is giving back to Mote, an organization that has meant so much to her.More
Born to Give
Pamela Siderski seems born to care for the things most important to her. Her love of the sea influenced her and her husband, Charlie, to include a gift in their will to support the future of Mote Marine Laboratory. Pamela quickly qualified as an Aquarium docent, became a member of Mote's Advisory Council and Education Committee, and worked in the Dolphin Whale and Sea Turtle Hospital..More
Rich and Judi Benimeli Donate to Mote First, Then Volunteer
Rich and Judi Benimeli didn't follow the usual pattern of volunteering at Mote, and then including Mote in their estate plans. They decided early on to make Mote's mission their own, and have become loyal supporters in every way. Usually folks learn about Mote's research and public education after becoming volunteers in the Aquarium or in another Mote endeavor..More
Romance Leads New Donors to Mote
Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn were brought together thanks to the amateur matchmaking of Mote's own Dr. Eugenie Clark and a love of diving. Their shared love of marine life also led them to Mote Marine Laboratory. It should come as no surprise to you, dear reader, that Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn became Mote donors as a consequence of their shared interest..More
Respected Fundraiser Brings Talents and Support to Mote
Tom Waters was a man on a mission almost from the start. He graduated from American International College in 1978 with majors in management and economics, a solid foundation for the work he would spend many years doing. When he joined Mote, Tom immersed himself in Mote's history, its marine research projects, its education initiatives and its dedicated staff..More
How Boomers Become Mote Donors
Rande Ridenour comes on strong because he is a believer in advancing the science of the sea. Laboratory projects now include everything from understanding the role of microbes in coral health, to tracking whale sharks, to cost-effective systems to grow marine and freshwater fish using environmentally sound practices..More
Educators Tell How They Became Mote Donors
How do people go from not knowing about all Mote Marine Laboratory has to offer to including the Lab in their estate plans? Just ask Tom and Carol Kerr..More
Leaving a Legacy
While Dwight Davis has had a love for the sea since early childhood, his passion did not lead him to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium until after his retirement. His relationship with Mote may have just begun but he is making sure it continues for a long time—even after his lifetime..More
A Mote Donor Cast in Concrete
Although Ken Rear built a career in concrete, his interest in marine life has never waned. Now that he is retired, he is able to invest more time in his passion. That includes making sure that marine life is protected in the future..More
I'm a Snowbird and a Mote Donor
Who says a Mote donor has to be a year-round Florida resident? Not me. I'm a native Michigander who spends six months up there and six months down here. After retirement, just over 15 years ago, I settled in Sarasota and almost at once became a supporting member of Mote Marine Laboratory, and later a volunteer at the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center..More
I Joined Mote, Left Mote, Then Returned Bearing a Gift
There are many places to give one's time and energy to help people. After retirement, my husband Ed and I moved from Pittsburgh to Sarasota and discovered an outstanding one — Mote Marine Laboratory. We became volunteers at Mote where my background in education found a perfect fit, interaction with diverse age groups and the opportunity to both teach and learn..More
A Letter to Mote
What does it take to make a person a Mote donor? It must be different for different people. For me, it was a love of the sea from earliest childhood. That was in Tampa, way back in the mists of time. Later in Hollywood, Fla., as a teenager and an avid fisherman and a collector of things washed up on the beach, my interest in marine life became even keener..More