SAN ANTONIO – Chloe Wallace and Keegan Tax are two girls who share a common bond: their love for sea turtles.
"We felt that they were just really cool and then we were sad that they were all washing up hurt," Chloe said.
Chloe, 10, often times visited Sea Turtles Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to help rescue and rehabilitate injured sea turtles at South Padre Island.
"She said ‘Wow, I wish there was something I could do to help.’ That's when daddy said, ‘Just because you’re 9 doesn't mean you can't.’ And so he decided to challenge her," said Chloe's mother, Donna Wallace.
Chloe accepted the challenge and enlisted Keegan, 10, to help. Through generous donations and their fundraising efforts, the pair raised $10,000, in nine months. Chloe's father matched the girls’ money, adding another $10,000 and an anonymous donor matched their $20,000, for a grand total of $40,000.
"They’re endangered and I want to help one species of animals that’s endangered," Keegan said.
The money will go to expanding the number of tanks and building an amphitheater to help educate the public about sea turtles.
Sea Turtle Fundraiser Gallery
"Sea Turtles Inc. is grateful for the contributions of these two young women. Funded solely by private donations, their efforts in raising $10,000, matched to $20,000 and again matched to $40,000, represents huge financial support to our organization,” said Jeff George, Sea Turtles Inc.'s executive director.
The girls’ efforts serve to remind people that regardless of age, people can make a difference as individuals in supporting the preservation of the oceans or whatever cause they believe in.
The girls don't plan to stop. They said they hope to raise another $10,000 to continue helping their favorite animal.