In short
Marine Turtle Foundation is a student-led group founded by William Deklich. We recruited about 100 volunteers, held four events (including a charity volleyball tournament), and raised about $4,500. That money was passed to sea turtle centers in Cancun, Mexico and Florida.
About 100 volunteers
Friends, classmates, and community members who helped run events and cleanups
Four events
Including a charity volleyball tournament, beach cleanups, and local fundraisers
$4,500 raised
Passed on to turtle programs in Cancun and Florida, not kept as operating funds
The Events
These are the events we organized. If you need receipts or recipient contacts for verification, email [email protected].
1. Charity volleyball tournament
A community volleyball tournament used as a fundraiser for sea turtle work where teams signed up and paid to play. Proceeds were sent to turtle centers in Cancun and Florida.
2. Beach cleanup, Playa del Carmen
Volunteer cleanups along the coast of Playa del Carmen. We removed trash from the beaches, used nets to take plastic from the waters, and a talked with tourists about conservation work they could do.
3. Local community fundraiser
A smaller in-person fundraiser with locals from the community. The goal was to get people to show up, donate, and learn more about conservation.
4. Student outreach
Our student outreach event introduced students to marine turtle conservation through informal conversations, social media posts, and volunteer sign-ups. Students helped spread the word by sharing posts and inviting friends to get involved, building support for future cleanups and fundraising events.
Where the $4,500 went
We do not run our own hatchery or wildlife hospital. Money raised was passed to existing sea turtle centers:
- Cancun / Riviera Maya, Mexico — turtle conservation programs on the Caribbean coast, including work connected to the Riviera Maya - Tulum program and Flora, Fauna y Cultura de Mexico.
- Florida, United States — sea turtle rescue and nesting-protection centers that receive stranded or nesting animals on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.