The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward started a fundraising campaign in July, asking Alaskans to help them stay open amidst what has been a devastating season for the Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday morning, the Center announced that their emergency fundraising goals have successfully been met. The social media announcement celebrated donations reaching $2 million. They offered thanks to all individual donors, plus the City of Seward for offering $500,000 of seed funding. The SeaLife Center is no longer looking at a situation where they could close this fall.
The Center projected a grim fate during their initial July request for donations: they faced permanent closure at the end of the summer, sending the animals they house to other facilities, laying off staff, and closing the building.
Despite the fundraising goal for the summer being met, the SeaLife Center was quick to note on social media that their fundraising efforts have not ended, due to the economic uncertainty that the Center faces.
They recommend several ways to help show financial support for the Center:
- Become a member, which not only helps them financially, it offers admission to the Center as well as other perks such as gift shop discounts. There are membership tiers for individuals as well as for families.
- Donate directly to the Center by clicking this link and providing whatever funding is available.
- Sign-up to be a fundraiser, using your skills and connections to help raise as many funds as possible in your social circle.
- Finally, the Center says that simply paying them a visit will help offset the lost visitors they have missed due to COVID-19.