Matanzas on the Bay’s family-friendly, Halloween and animal-themed Howl-O-Ween Wildlife Fundraiser has raised $2,028 for the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
Held at Matanzas on the Bay’s waterfront setting along the back bay of Fort Myers Beach on Oct. 26, the Howl-O-Ween Wildlife Fundraiser featured an array of children’s activities including face painting, pumpkin painting, fun games and animal-themed arts and crafts. Throughout the day, guests enjoyed food, craft beer and live music by guitarist and singer Scotty Bryan, as well as interactive, educational sessions led by CROW’s wildlife experts with appearances from wildlife ambassadors Lola, the American kestrel, and GiGi, the Virginia opossum.
“CROW has been a longtime partner in caring for the beautiful wildlife that surround and often visit our waterfront restaurant,” said Tony Coppolino, general manager of Matanzas on the Bay. “CROW’s efforts play an important role for residents, visitors and local businesses like ours that enjoy and benefit from healthy native wildlife. We were glad to bring the community together to show our support for their meaningful work.”
Proceeds from the Howl-O-Ween Wildlife Fundraiser will help CROW continue to operate its teaching hospital to save the sick, injured and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida and beyond. Through veterinary care, public education programs and its visitor center, CROW works to improve the health of the environment, humans and animals through wildlife medicine.
“CROW is very grateful for the support from the community and Matanzas on the Bay,” says CROW’s Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey. “They put on a wonderful event for a great cause, everyone had a fantastic time and we are so thankful for their support for CROW’s mission to keep our beloved wildlife healthy!”