Karen Testa, the Executive Director/President of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, is excited about holding the first-ever Summer Gala on July 18th in support of its rescue and rehabilitation programs. The outdoor event will be held at Landcraft Garden from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. There will be live entertainment by George Barry, with dancing, and a silent auction. Alex Calamia, News12 Meteorologist, will serve as the host and emcee.
Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons started 14 years ago in Hampton Bays, but has since moved after a local businessman generously donated a facility that now houses a Turtle Hospital on the North Fork. This will be their first really big fundraiser. Ms.Testa explained, “We started in Jamesport in 2012, and ever since then, we’ve been getting more and more exposure, raising more awareness, doing our outreach programs.” She said even now folks come in and say, “I never even knew you guys were here.” Testa stressed that nobody knows what to do when they see a turtle, perhaps injured by a car. She said, “But now when you Google, you get us, because we have been raising awareness every single day.” Then she added, We are now packed full of injured turtles. It’s amazing because when I was at Evelyn Alexander, we would get very few to rescue and rehabilitate. Now I have over 200.”
In attendance will be a 72-year-old box turtle that has been in the news. This turtle has a big beak from being fed an improper diet. It seems this box turtle was taken from the wild 70-something years ago, when it wasn’t illegal to do so. Testa said, “They didn’t know how to feed this turtle. He grew a big beak; he made the news.” His name is Bubbles, and he will be at the Gala, where the children’s book, “Bubbles: A Turtle’s Tale,” will be launched, based on the amazing true story of this box turtle who received a new life at Turtle Rescue.
Then Ms. Testa spoke about a 100-lbs turtle named “Sullivan.” She said he is both an ambassador and a reason never to purchase a turtle in a pet store. According to Karen Testa, “Turtles and tortoises (over 100 species) are very important to our environment, and there has to be a balance. The biggest statement you could make is that turtles are the most endangered organisms in the world right now. That is terrible.”
Honorary Chairperson Beth Stern is expected to attend. Wildlife conservation speakers include Turtle Rescue President and Founder Karen Testa, Michael Bottini, a wildlife biologist, Dr. Russell Burke, a Hofstra University Biology Professor, and Tony Monahan, an author and artist. Another honoree will be the staff veterinarian, Dr. Robert Pisciotta, DVM, for his 14 years of generous medical care of the more than 1,500 turtle patients at Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons. Testa said, “He has been helping save turtles for this organization for 14 years, doing perhaps 1,500 surgeries free of charge. He’s on our staff. He’s amazing. We’re honoring him.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine will also attend and present Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons with a proclamation recognizing 14 years of excellent work.
Ms. Testa said, “We’re auctioning off a low-speed electric vehicle that you see around the Hamptons, that people put surfboards and golf clubs on and go down to the beach, called a MOKE. We have a couple of other things that we are auctioning off, like paintings via a silent auction.”
Truth be known, when you see a “Turtle Crossing” sign out on the East End, it is most likely the work of Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons.
