Students’ fundraisers aid mammal center
El Morro Elementary School students raised nearly $900 for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center through several activities, including a Popsicle sale at school on Friday.
The sale netted $662 and was part of a fundraising effort that generated $892. Proceeds will go to the Laguna Beach-based center, which rehabilitates sick and injured marine mammals.
For three weeks, third-grade students sold baked goods and lemonade during their free time. Instructors incorporated fundraising into a unit focused on entrepreneurship, economics of goods and services, philanthropy and humans’ effect on animals and the environment, teacher Jamie Jameson wrote in an email.
As of Tuesday, the center was sheltering 119 animals, including 104 sea lions.
Mammal centers along the California coast have cared for record numbers of malnourished sea lion pups in the last few years. Scientists said mother sea lions are traveling farther for food such as squid and sardines, leaving their offspring behind. In some cases, the adults aren’t getting as much food as they are used to, and with lower weights aren’t producing enough milk for the pups, experts have said.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
