Donate to the Friends of V.I. National Park Annual Fund between Dec. 15 and 31, and an anonymous donor will match it up to a total of $40,000.
“Double the dollars, double the impact,” Friends development director Karen Vahling said.
A $25 gift doubles to $50, and a $50 donation becomes $100, she said as examples.
The money goes to fund Friends’ projects, of which Vahling said this year the group has 23 lined up, including eco-camps for school children, trail maintenance and the park’s archeology program.
This is one of several fund raising activities done throughout the year, Vahling said, adding that the recent online auction (of mainly trips and luxury items) raised $43,000, shattering the goal of $30,000 and last year’s record of just over $28,000.
“People love shopping for a good cause,” Vahling said, “especially when all of the proceeds benefit our V.I. National Park, and they get great deals too.”
She said 58 items sold over the three-week auction period that ended Dec. 9.
The top seller of the auction was a seven-night stay at the luxury villa, Isla Vista, which sold for $6,500 but was valued of nearly $10,000. In second place was a seven-night bareboat charter aboard at 52-foot Hylas sail boat which sold for $4,500 and retails for $9,100. Some items sold for more than retail value, Vahling said.
Plans are in the works for the annual gala on Feb. 23 at the villa Presidio del Mar in Peter Bay.
Donate at www.friendsvinp.org or by mail to P.O. Box 811, St. John, VI 00831.
