Gmail Amy Howard Luminous Nights - Get ready for this Saturday! 1 message Friends of the GTM Reserve Mon, May 1, 2023 at 8:58 AM Bcc: howardamyjo@gmail.com Dear Friends, The countdown to Luminous Nights – An Evening for the Estuary is underway, with less than a week until our biggest celebration to benefit the GTM Research Reserve. Here is what you need to know as you prepare for the big night. Online auction: The auction is happening right now! Browse items and get your bids in on the many unique items available. You can bid on experiences, art, special events, and so much more – and all proceeds benefit the GTM Research Reserve. The online auction ends Friday, May 5th, at 10:00 am, then the bidding will continue in person at Luminous Nights. Click here to browse and bid online: https://www.32auctions.com/LuminousNightsGTM The Mangrove Tree of Giving: You will have the opportunity to fund the many programs at the Reserve by giving life to the Mangrove Tree of Giving. Pledge a leaf ranging in value from $25 to $1,000 and place them on the tree to help fund programs at GTM. We will watch the mangrove tree fill with colorful leaves throughout the evening, symbolizing your support. PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT IN ADVANCE and see your leaf on the Mangrove Tree when you arrive. Visit the auction website above and select "Sponsor a Scientist," "Sponsor a Snake," or the many other "Sponsorship" levels to pledge your support online. When you arrive, your leaf will be proudly displayed on the mangrove. You may even inspire others to give! We hope you will give joyfully and from the heart, and remember that all donations are tax-deductible. Mangrove Tree Surprises: As a thank you to our Mangrove Tree supporters, there will be special treats and surprises just for you! But pledge your contribution early to get in on the treats, as they are limited to the first 50 donors! Dress: Plan to kick back and relax by the Guana River. Get comfy in a sundress and sandals, and sport your favorite cargo shorts and flip-flops – think resort casual. The theme of the night is bioluminescence in honor of the phytoplankton and animals that sparkle in our estuarine waters, so we encourage you to wear items that sparkle and glow. You will be surrounded by blacklights and glow-in-the-dark greens, blues, and purples, so dress to shine! Food and beverages: When you arrive, you will be welcomed with a specialty cocktail mixed by celebrity bartender, Jon Mateer. During the cocktail hour, there will be a selection of nibblers from our Friends at Publix. At 7:00 pm, the tapas bar will open in the amphitheater, where you can feast on delicious offerings from Café Eleven. At 9:00 pm, the auditorium will reopen for dessert by Sweet Tiffany’s, coffee, and auction check-out. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will also be available from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Check-out note: If you need to leave before the auction check-out opens at 9:00 pm but have bid on auction items or have made contributions, we will contact you post-event and arrange for payment and pick-up. Please share these details with your guests and keep an eye out for more updates during the week. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GTMResearchReserve. A special thank you to our generous sponsors: Herbie Wiles Insurance, Bank of America Private Bank, Merrill Lynch, Solar Boss, Pedego Ponte Vedra, Panera, Cafe Eleven, and Sweet Tiffany's. Thank you so much for supporting the GTM Research Reserve. We look forward to celebrating with you on May 6th at 6:00 pm at the GTM Visitor Center! Sincerely, Friends of the GTM Reserve 450 Guana River Rd Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082 904-380-8600 GTM_Friends@GTMNERR.org www.gtmnerr.org You are receiving this email from the Friends of the GTM Reserve. If you would like to opt out of future emails from the Friends of the GTM Reserve please reply to this email with your wishes.