Every year, Santa Claus visits children around the globe that have been good girls and boys all throughout the year. But what about sea turtles? Well, this past month, our sea turtle patients got a surprise visit from the jolly, old elf himself for our Sea-son’s Greetings event on December 20th! Santa visited with 11 sick sea turtles recovering in our hospital, as well as all the good girls and boys that visited the Center that day. Whispers of holiday wishes and gift lists were passed back and forth between Santa and children of all ages. Each visitor to Santa’s lap received a mini sea turtle toy, a tiny reminder they’d be sure to enjoy, of the sick sea turtles at the GSTC, who hoped to get better and be released to the sea.
In addition to our jolly visitor, two holiday programs made a special appearance that day; Scute’s Christmas Adventure Puppet Show and the debut of ‘Twas the Night, an original sea turtle Christmas story. A magical time was had by all, children and sea turtles, big and small!
~Kelly O’Keefe, Educator