Wednesday, March 14, 2007

March 14, 2007

Cheeca Lodge's annual Earth Day event raises money for Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

Islamorada, Florida Keys - March 13, 2007 - "Don't Lose Your Keys" is this year's slogan for the annual Earth Day celebration to be held on the beachfront at Cheeca Lodge on April 14. The worldwide festivities honoring Mother Earth are marked by a very special family-fun holiday at Cheeca for visitors and local residents alike. Since 1994, guests at the hotel and residents of the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World" have met at the resort to enjoy a full day of beachfront activities, family barbecue, musical entertainment and environmental education.

Proceeds of this year's event will go to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, which provides emergency and recuperative care for injured birds and is evolving into a significant collection and distribution point for information about our environment. For more information visit www.fkwbc.org or call 305.852.4486.

This year, Earth Day revelers will begin gathering on the beach at 8 a.m. to create the annual Earth Day sand sculpture, spelling out "Don't Lose Your Keys" in giant letters made out of colored sand across a wide stretch of the shoreline. Teams of up to 10 people, sponsored by individuals, local businesses, social clubs or organizations, can purchase a letter for $275. Individuals can join a team for just $25. Teammates will each receive a custom-designed, limited edition Earth Day tee-shirt, as well as food coupons and bottled water.

The teams typically form very stylized creations for each letter and, this year a prize will be awarded to the "Most Creative." Upon completion of the "Don't Lose Your Keys" slogan sharply at noon, a helicopter flyover has been scheduled to film and photograph the message and the resulting images will be released to local and national news stations all across the country. Aerial photos will be presented to each sponsor following the event. In addition to the sand sculpture fundraiser, other fun-filled activities scheduled include:

KIDS' CATCH & RELEASE FISHING TOURNAMENT - Kids will gather at the Cheeca pier for some great competition to see who can catch and release the most -- and biggest -- fish! Drop line fishing "yo-yo's" will be included in the entry fee and must be used by all anglers. Bait will be provided courtesy of Key Largo Fisheries. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Entry fee: $10 per angler. Age groups are 6 and under; and 7-12 years old (12:30 pm - 1:30 pm). Awards will be presented in several categories at 2 pm.

MASSAGES ON THE BEACH - Our professional spa technicians will offer relaxing massages - $1 per minute.

WORLD PARROT MISSION EXHIBIT - Jennifer Dermer and her parrots from the World Parrot Mission put on quite a show highlighting the intelligence and creativity of these beautiful birds. Kids are allowed to feed the parrots that play basketball, do puzzles and sing and dance! (10 am - 2 pm)

GRAND RAFFLE PRIZE DRAWING - Blue Marlin Jewelry, located in Islamorada, has donated a Chopard necklace, valued at $2,685, which will be raffled off during the Earth Day events. The necklace is a white gold pendant with Chopard's signature "Happy Diamonds" and comes with a Certificate of Origin and International Guarantee. Raffle tickets for this grand prize are currently available at Cheeca Lodge for $10 each, and will also be sold on Earth Day. All proceeds will go to the Wild Bird Center.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BOOTHS - Environmental organizations including The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Save the Manatees and the Turtle Hospital, among others, will be at Cheeca with displays and activities to educate adults and children about "…thinking green."

(10 am - 2:00 pm)

FAMILY-PRICED BARBECUE AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - Enjoy delightful musical entertainment and a delicious beachside barbecue throughout the day.

For more information about Earth Day or to sponsor a letter, please contact Brian Randolph at (305) 517-4458 or Michelle Rifice at (305) 517-4522.

Cheeca Lodge is situated on 27 beautifully landscaped acres with more than 1200 feet of palm-fringed beach and crystal-clear water. It features 199 luxurious guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, a nine-hole pitch & putt golf course, a complete tennis program with six courts, two swimming pools and a whirlpool spa. For more information about Cheeca Lodge, visit www.cheeca.com. For reservations, call 800-327-2888.

Media Contact
Margie Benziger/Sasha Hlozek

Cheryl Andrews Marketing

P: 305-444-4033 / F: 305-447-0415

margie@cam-pr.com / sasha@cam-pr.com