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MERR Institute hosts annual Finraiser at Henlopen Hotel
Bubbles Not Balloons is theme for nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year
MERR Institute hosted its Finraiser Nov. 12 for the first time in three years at Salero in Rehoboth Beach. Volunteer Joan Mansperger and MERR’s mermaid MERRanda greet guests as they exit the elevator. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
November 20, 2022
For the first time in three years, the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute hosted its annual Finraiser Nov. 12 at Salero on top of the Henlopen Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.
The theme for the event was Bubbles Not Balloons. The Finraiser is the premier fundraising event for MERR, and all proceeds go toward helping endangered marine mammals and sea turtles. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music by local band 33 ⅓, a live auction and a silent auction.
Located in Lewes, MERR is a nonprofit stranding response and rehabilitation organization dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals and sea turtles. For more information, go to merrinstitute.org, email merrinstitute@gmail.com or call 302-228-5029.
The annual event serves as MERR’s largest fundraiser of the year. MERR Executive Director Suzanne Thurman stands with the official checker-inners Jennifer Riling, left, and Lynn Lambertson.
If there’s going to a party for an ocean-based organization, there might as well be a pirate. Happy to oblige is Marcos Salaverria, Lewes Historical Society director of education.
Local band 33 1/3 entertains the crowd.
From a view overlooking the beach, this was the first Finraiser in three years.
MERR didn’t miss the opportunity to inform guests what the organization is doing and what it’s trying to save.
There were more than 100 silent auction items, including this simple, but appropriately-themed bag.
Artist Jeff Helfer of JBH Artworks found this tree root on the beach at Tower Road.
With maybe the best view of the beach in Rehoboth, Dineen Zimmer fills out a silent auction card.
Joe Melchiorre and Eden Bermingham have a serious look about which items to choose when putting their tickets in for the Lucky Draw.
Ann Manheimer got her hair done to match the aqua-themed event.
Beverly Wells and Ralph White got their tango on while the dance floor was still open.
