Media Room: Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Mary Stella, Director of Media & Marketing
305-289-1121, ext. 254
Email: media@dolphins.org
Wounded Warrior Project Names DRC's Mehew as Awards Finalist
Florida Keys, FL . . . The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has named Dolphin Research Center’s (DRC) Director of Special Needs Joan Mehew and the center as finalists in the 2013 Carry Forward Awards. Ms. Mehew organizes DRC’s involvement in several special programs with WWP, including the annual Soldier Ride, Project Odyssey, and Caregivers retreats, to bring injured service members and dolphins together. In the last several years, hundreds of warriors, caregivers and families have visited DRC. Now through July 31st, the public can view all of the finalists’ stories on the awards’ website at www.wwpcarryforwardawards.org and vote daily for a finalist. Total public votes will count as a percentage of the final judging process. After July 31st, a panel of judges will deliberate on each finalist’s story and determine the recipients of the awards.
In a letter informing Ms. Mehew of her nomination, the organization wrote, “Your passion and hard work is truly inspirational and we know by sharing your story others will be moved to carry forward the mission of honoring and empowering Wounded Warriors.” DRC is deeply committed to supporting our nation’s military and believes that connecting with the dolphins is beneficial to the service men and women. As Ms. Mehew puts it, “Reconnecting with nature through a dolphin experience hopefully paves the way for a healthy transition back to civilian life.”
Founded in 1984, Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals and humans and the environment through research and education. Home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, the facility is located on the Overseas Highway at mile marker 59, Grassy Key, Florida. Internationally known for its research and education programs, Dolphin Research Center is an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For more information, call 305-289-1121 or visit www.dolphins.org.
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