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MERR Finraiser rides wave of community suppport

Greeting MERR supporters are (l-r) Bill Mansberger, Executive Director Suzanne Thurman and Eden Brermingham.
Steven Billups
November 24, 2017
MERR Finraiser
Enjoying a glass of wine are (l-r) Joe and Karen Wilkens and Vivian Taylor.
MERR Finraiser
Elisabeth Stoner cradles a dolphin sand shows her book of poems that she was selling at the event. She is donating all of the proceeds to MERR.
MERR Finraiser
Ready to enter into the event are (l-r) Rick and Annette Stellhorn and Robert Stephens.
MERR Finraiser
Celebrity bartenders Madeleine Overturf and Kevin Fleming.
MERR Finraiser
Busy at the silent auction table are (l-r) Barbara Hames, Tracy Mulveny, MERR volunteer Trish Baines and MERR volunteer Jan Fisher.
MERR Finraiser
Providing the music for the venue was 33 1/3. Shown are Terry Stuchlik, Linda Beebe and Ben King.
MERR Finraiser
Having some fun at the event are Rich Weissmann, left, and Patti Drago.
MERR Finraiser
Taking a break from the silent auction table are (l-r) Tim McCollum and Cathy and Ed Tessein.
MERR Finraiser
Enjoying the music and a glass of wine are Dale and Barbara Brown from Rehoboth Beach.
MERR Finraiser
Posing by the dolphins are Sarah Barnett and Susan Fewell.
MERR Finraiser
Dolphins candles adorned all of the tables.
MERR Finraiser
Partners in the future MERR Ocean Education Center are University of Delaware Director Mark Moline, Suzanne Thurman, Assistant Director for Research & Academic Facilities Joe Scudlark, and Lewes Mayor Ted Becker.

The Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute held its Annual Finraiser Nov. 18 at Salero Restaurant atop the Henlopen Hotel in Rehoboth Beach. This sold-out event featured food, wine and 100-plus silent auction items and 16 live auction items featuring trips, dinners, golf packages and original artwork.

The night also featured a formal roll-out of the organization's official plans for a year-round education center. Not all final tallies are in, but it is expected to raise between $21,000 to $22,000 for the organization, according to Executive Director Suzanne Thurman.

"This event is the culmination of months of work and preparation, and serves as much more than a fundraiser," Thurman said. "It also provides us with the opportunity to educate people about our program and mission to protect and conserve marine animals and ocean health. This is always the most important part of what we do, whether it is in a formal program, or just in our daily conversations in the community," she added. “I felt the education center was very well received, and I was especially happy that the Mayor of Lewes and the UD representatives could be there to lend their support."

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