Island Dolphin Raises Over $100k At The “I Do Care” Annual Fundraiser

Dec. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Island Dolphin Care, Inc. (IDC) is a program developed to help children with special needs and their families who are dealing with developmental and/or physical disabilities, emotional challenges, and critical, chronic or terminal illness. This program provides a unique healing experience assisted by the dolphins, which provide unconditional love and support along with parents, staff and therapists. The “I Do Care” annual fundraiser is an important event to raise money for scholarships and programs for the many children, families and veterans in need.

Island Dolphin Care was created by Mrs. Deena Hoagland, LCSW, after witnessing the remarkable recovery of her son, Joe, after he began swimming with dolphins at the age of three. Deena and her husband, brought Joe to Dolphins Plus, in Key Largo, FL in the hope that the dolphins might motivate Joe to use the left side of his body-weakened from a stroke which occurred during his third open-heart surgery. Joe had not responded well to traditional physical, occupational, and speech therapies, but began to make progress at Dolphins Plus. With the support of the dolphins, especially his dolphin friend “Fonzie”, he was able to normalize his young life. “I believed that if dolphins could help Joe recover and motivate him to try new tasks, the dolphins might also help others.”, adds Deena Hoagland. Since 1990, Deena and the IDC staff have helped numerous children, adults and families from around the world with various educational, emotional, and physical needs.

The “I Do Care” annual fundraiser was held on November 12, 2011 at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill in Key Largo, FL.  This years event was a huge success with a total of approximately $111,000 raised. All proceeds support scholarships to Island Dolphin Care programs for children, their families and wounded veterans & soldiers. To sponsor or donate to the Island Dolphin Care organization, please visit http://www.islanddolphincare.org/events, call (305) 451-5884 or email fonzie@islanddolphincare.org.

Island Dolphin Care is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization; founded in 1997, dedicated to helping adults, children and families who are dealing with developmental and physical disabilities, emotional challenges and critical, chronic or terminal illness. For more information, visit http://www.islanddolphincare.org  or visit their You Tube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/islanddolphincare

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Island Dolphin Care is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization; founded in 1997, dedicated to helping adults, children and families who are dealing with developmental and physical disabilities, emotional challenges and critical, chronic or terminal illness. For more information, visit http://www.islanddolphincare.org or visit their You Tube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/islanddolphincare