All Pawtucket All The Time

SECOND-GRADE STUDENT AT PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HAS ONE BIRTHDAY WISH: SAVE THE BELUGA WHALES

Matthew Monteiro of Easton asks for donations in lieu of birthday gifts;
raises $400 for beluga care and research at
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

MYSTIC, Conn. (May 29, 2009)- While most 8-year-olds ask for the latest toys and games on their birthday, second-grade student Matthew Monteiro of Parkview Elementary School in North Easton, Mass., requested money to help save the beluga whales. His birthday wish came true. On Sunday, May 24, Matthew and his family presented a check for $400 to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, which houses three beluga whales and plays a key role in beluga research in the wild.

Matthew collected the money from family and friends, as well as his own personal savings. After completing a class project on marine life and learning that some beluga populations are endangered, Matthew made it his mission to find a way to help the whales. For his birthday on May 10, he requested a big party with classmates and long-time friends, asking them to bring money for the belugas rather than gifts for him.

“I wanted to help the beluga whales, because they are very intelligent, loving and friendly animals,” said Matthew. “And they need the money more than I do.”

On Sunday, Matthew and his family visited Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration to see the animals (including the beluga whales, of course!) and presented the check to Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., who gave them a behind-the-scenes tour of the beluga exhibit and introduced them to whale trainers. The family also got to meet one of the beluga whales up close.

“The money Matthew raised will go toward the continued care and enrichment of our belugas, as well as toward our ongoing research around ways to protect belugas in the wild,” said Dr. Coan. “Matthew is a role model to his peers and a prime example of how education can motivate kids to make a difference. Matthew’s efforts reflect the mission of Sea Research: to inspire people to protect our ocean planet   through education, research and exploration. It is wonderful to see our mission being carried out by young ambassadors.”

Matthew isn’t ready to stop. He is already planning to raise another $400 and to educate friends and family on belugas and what can be done to help save them.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.