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MERR celebrates silver anniversary at annual Finraiser

Founded by Suzanne Thurman, organization had busiest year to date helping marine animals
The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary at its annual Finraiser Nov. 8. Founder Suzanne Thurman said it was the busiest year to date for the organization. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
November 16, 2025

Story Location:
Henlopen Hotel
511 N. Boardwalk
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute celebrated 25 years of helping marine animals by hosting its annual Finraiser Nov. 8 at Salero on top of the Henlopen Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.

MERR Executive Director Suzanne Thurman said she didn’t know what to expect when she started the nonprofit over two decades ago. 

“I just knew it was something that I wanted to do,” she said. “I just jumped in and took a if-you-build-it-they-will-come approach. There have been so many members of the community that have been so helpful.”

The Finraiser is the premier fundraising event for MERR, with all proceeds benefiting endangered marine mammals and sea turtles. The event was sold out, with guests enjoying hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music by local band 33 1/3, a live auction and a silent auction.

Prior to the event, Thurman said, with the exception of the dolphin die off in 2013, this past year was the organization’s busiest yet. She provided year-to-date statistics: three whales, 179 seals, five dolphins, one harbor porpoise and 54 sea turtles, which is twice as many as the last several years.

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.

 

Joined by the MERR mermaid, pirate Bernie Moran and Frank McCraghan greet guests as they arrive.
Above all else, MERR is a rescue and research organization, so there will always be an information table.
This ceramic seal that was part of the silent auction looks lifelike.
Volunteers (l-r) Geri Fitzgerald, Margot DeFrance and Terry Moody show off MERR’s 25th anniversary T-shirt.
Appropriately themed decor adorns the tables.
A lot of nautical-themed items were up for bid, including this nicely painted horseshoe crab.
Roy Pietrovito is one of the volunteers handing out wine.
Lauren Mund and Paul Simons look closely at the raffle buckets as they consider where to deposit their lucky draw tickets.
Jeff Rowe considers bidding on a decorative turtle sculpture.
Celebratory glasses of bubbly await MERR supporters.
The view from the top of the Henlopen Hotel is worth taking a picture of, which is exactly what Holly Wright decides to do.
Local band 33 1/3 entertains guests. Shown are (l-r) Donna Ward, Linda Beebe, Ben King, Dickie Messick and Greg Wood.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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