Middle Schoolers Raise Money for a Year for Save the Chimps

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - June 6, 2019 - PRLog -- A hard-working group of students from Southport Middle School located in Port St Lucie, Florida spent their school year raising money for Save the Chimps, a non-profit sanctuary for retired chimpanzees located in Fort Pierce. Originally the group's goal was to raise enough money, $300, to "Adopt-a-Chimp" – a program run by the sanctuary that allows patrons to sponsor care for a resident chimpanzee for a week.  By the time the students finished, they surpassed their goal, donating over $1,340 to the organization as well as enrichment activities for the chimps.

The group of students surpassed their fundraising goal, by holding monthly fundraisers, including selling Fruit Roll-Ups and Taki's, hosting a holiday Chimp Tree, holding Penny Races, having a dress up Hat Day and Out of Dress Code day and a Carnival Day. The students included: Joseph Scotti, Jayden T., Laurence Pierre, Isiah Menendez, Charles Medwick, Antonio Leal, Mathew O'Hare, Juan Flores, Jaden Jimenez, Israel Estrada, Sarah Miller, Israel Termeque, James Hazen, Justin Virginia, Vincent Tarino, Josiah Villalobos, Olivia Moore, Emma Vossen, Robert Bellamy, Mia Jenkins, Gabriella Lazala, Joseph Schotti, Michael Pope, Leyani Leon, Danielle James, and Michael Tolbert.  The students were supported by a team of teachers including: Mrs. Laurie Barnard, Mrs. Wells, Ms. Reed, Ms. Rhodes, Mr. Sal DeCarlo, Ms. Gomez, Mrs. Marchester, and Mrs. James.

Supporting a Great Cause

As the world's largest privately funded sanctuary for chimpanzees, Save the Chimps relies 100% on annual donations from generous groups and individuals. Every year civic groups, schools, churches, synagogues and community volunteers run essential outreach programs on behalf of the sanctuary, raising necessary funds and expanding the sanctuary's global community of supporters.

A Legacy of Caring

Since its founding in 1997 by Primatologist Dr. Carole Noon, the sanctuary has successfully retired 333 chimpanzees from unsuitable living conditions, allowing them to live out their days in a safe, secure, and vibrantly social community alongside their fellow chimpanzees. The retired chimps now live in large family groups on 12 separate three-acre islands, where they receive three fresh meals daily, first rate medical care, and a variety of activities in an enriched environment.

Save the Chimps is committed to providing sanctuary and exemplary care to chimpanzees in need. Out of respect for its residents' privacy, the sanctuary is closed to the public except for two member days each year, the next of which is October 5th, 2019. For more information or to donate your time or treasure, visit savethechimps.org.