December 1, 2022

DOUBLE YOUR GIFT!

DDWS recently received an anonymous $100,000 matching challenge grant from a Bainbridge Island, Washington, family to help raise funds to rebuild the Refuge we love.

As we all know, Hurricane Ian decimated our beloved islands of Sanibel and Captiva. The Refuge also sustained major damage -- destroyed boardwalks, downed trees, Wildlife Drive damage, a complete loss of intern housing and DDWS offices, roof damage, and so much more -- with limited government funds to cover all of the damage.

Through all of this, our friends from Bainbridge continue to love the connection between our islands on either side of the country. Bainbridge actually modeled its all-island government after Sanibel. With these continued ties, our donors felt the time is right to give back to the Refuge and help it recover. “Ding” is a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans, where we feel a sense of place and belonging.

Help this sense of home continue with this year-end match opportunity. The grant will match donations and/or pledges dollar for dollar up to $100,000 made by December 31, 2022.

CLICKto DOUBLE your gift today.

#DingStrong

Hurricane Update

Our Resource page will be consistently updated and we will include a hurricane update each week . Please access those sites doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any questions at 239-292-0566.

For residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian, here is a printable pdf of resources. We are trying to keep it updated and hoping it helps.

Here are a few new links:

The Florida Department of Health, in conjunction with Lee County Medical Society and Lee EMS, is offering a free medical clinic on Sanibel.
WHERE: Sanibel Fire Station at 2351 Palm Ridge Road – the clinic is located in a white trailer in front. HOURS OF OPERATION: It is typically open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the hours can vary based upon availability of doctors.
SERVICES OFFERED: Include but not limited to: Tetanus and flu shots, wounds and lacerations, antibiotics prescriptions, bronchitis, rashes, etc.
Sanibel Recreation Center will be open FREE to the community with limited amenities Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more.
Bank of the Islands announces Thankful Tuesday - a new way to support the island community's recovery from Hurricane Ian. Read more.
Sanibel Deli is officially back open for business.
Traders Restaurant and Shopping Emporium is officially back open.

TODAY December 1: Pop-Up Farmer’s Market Store

Starting today, December 1, “Ding” Darling will be selling Nature Store items and talking to visitors about the Refuge at a pop-up store at the Coconut Point Farmer’s Market in Estero. Thanks to Local Roots for making space for our setup each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get out to start your holiday gift-buying or just stop by to say hi to the team.

Artist Rachel Pierce steps in as our holiday Artist in Residence.

TOMORROW, December 2: Bell Tower Tree-Lighting & Chamber Luminary

Come join Refuge and DDWS staff at their Jolly Holiday Pop-up Store at Bell Tower shopping center in Fort Myers on Friday, December 2. “Ding” Darling joins the SanCap Chamber of Commerce and relocated island businesses for an off-island Holiday Luminary as part of Bell Tower’s FREE Tree-Lighting Extravaganza from 6 to 8 p.m. The Refuge Nature Store will be selling specialty gift items and hosting special guest artist Rachel Pierce and live music that evening. Families can enjoy Santa’s arrival by fire engine, a bounce house, holiday games, face painting, food, and other surprises.

Spotlight: Friends Rebuilding

As a regular feature, “Ding” on the Wing spotlights a business on the islands that has strongly supported the Refuge in the past and now needs us all to rally behind it as it navigates the long and arduous road to recovery.

Rachel Tritaik opened Island Therapy Center in 2009 with a vision to offer patients quality, individualized attention to reduce pain, restore mobility, and return them to an active lifestyle. It didn’t take long before her innovative patient-care strategy made her clinic the go-to place for physical therapy, massage, Pilates, and personal training.

Then came Hurricane Ian on September 28, flooding the clinic with six feet of water and decimating the interior. She moved forward, despite the fact that insurance would not cover the damage, to gut the clinic with intentions to return this summer.

In the meantime, Rachel is waiving travel fees to do physical and massage therapy for home visits on-island. For patients in Fort Myers, she works out of a couple of partner locations along the McGregor Boulevard corridor with one other therapist.

“I’m treating a lot of patients with aches and pains from moving things around and working in their yards as they recover from hurricane damage,” said Rachel. Those interested can call or text 239-297-4997 for information, or visit her website.

Work cleaning up "Ding" Estuary!

Working in partnership with the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the DDWS is helping to fund the work taking place by former fishing guide Ozzie Fisher and his team at FMT Hauling. They have been removing decking material, boat docks, observation platform material, hurricane debris, inclusive of matresses, and all other kinds of trash. Working hard to clean the estuary for the wildlife, thanks to the philanthropic support for Refuge recovery. Thank you to everyone for their support in the recovery efforts which continue every day.

ShopDingDarling.com

Wednesday, December 7: Virtual Annual Meeting

The DDWS Annual Meeting will take place on Zoom on Wednesday, December 7, at 1 p.m. Watch “Ding” on the Wing and our website for updates on the meeting’s format.

To receive an invitation to attend the virtual meeting, please email us.

WoW Update: Full Calendar

Following Thanksgiving weekend, WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) was on the move again, parking this week at Villas Elementary in Fort Myers through December 9. The team then moves on to James Stephens Elementary in the Tice community December 12-21. They will help the school celebrate its Fall Fest, which is open free to the public, on Wednesday, December 14. Following winter break, WoW resumes its school visits on January 10 at G. Weaver Hipps Elementary in Lehigh Acres, and has three other Title 1 schools scheduled leading up to spring break.

While the Refuge is closed to school groups due to hurricane damage, WoW is the most important tool in the “Ding” repertoire for education and community outreach, both crucial to the Refuge mission.

New Tarpon Tournament Sponsor!

Special thanks to Bass Pro Shops for sponsoring our 11th Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament at the Premiere level.

The annual tournament remains on the calendar for May 19, 2023. The opening for registration, however, has been postponed until further notice. Thanks to our 2023 sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact April Boehnen.

Feel-Good Finds

If you have a photo, poem, video, or other feel-good find and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen .

Like a Duck

by Meghan Prindle

The water's slow today at Mary Beth Doyle,

Engineered just so, the ugly sediment piles;

And the mallards play

And the cormorant swims

And the egret hunts.

The park is so quiet

And we are oh-so-quiet,

That we hear the mud squelch

Beneath little webbed feet.

Photo of a Blue-Winged Teal by Steve Hilger

Show Us Your #DingStrong Merch

Thank you to everyone who has purchased their #DingStrong merch! We can't wait to see all our supporters in their newest additions to their fall fashion. For a chance to be highlighted in "Ding" on the Wing, send in a photo of yourself wearing your #DingStrong merch to April Boehnen.

If you still need to purchase your merch, you can do so HERE.

HOLIDAY NOTE: To receive your #Ding Strong merch by Christmas, please order your by December 2.

Steffen and Kathryn with their daughter Jane in Colorado

The Husk Family

Pick a Refuge Wish List Gift

With the holidays upon us, you may want to add the Refuge to your gift list this season. Take a list of our Symbolic Gifts for Wildlife to see how you can benefit those that mean the most to us – the wildlife. Honor and Memorial gifts are another thoughtful way to make a year end holiday gift. DDWS will send a letter to those you list letting them know of your gift. AND it will be DOUBLED with the Challenge!

Year-End Giving to Support Refuge Recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we know many of our readers are struggling with their own finances and personal rebuilding. Our hearts are with you, as we know how difficult it can be.

For others, year-end tax-deductible giving might be an option. If so, we hope you will consider supporting the work at Refuge rebuilding from Hurricane Ian and continuing our education and research mission.

While the Refuge will receive federal funds for recovery efforts, it has been our experience that this funding falls far short for accomplishing all the work needed. That is the reason the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge was established more Than 40 years ago. We work to help fill in the gaps where federal funding falls short. DONATE TODAY and DOUBLE your gift with our challenge match!