How Does a Cookie Save a Sea Turtle? Ask Casey!

Photo credit: leapbks.blogspot.com 

When Casey Sokolovic was about eight years old, she took a trip to a sea turtle rescue center that changed the rest of her life.

Casey visited The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island, North Carolina and ever since knew that she had to do something, anything to help sea turtles.

Photo credit: www.seaturtlehospital.org 

She was in third grade and knew there would be some limitations to what she could do, but that did not stop Casey at all.

With her mother, Casey began baking sea turtle shaped sugar cookies to raise money and awareness for the center.

A little over nine years later, Casey has raised an incredible $500,000 to help sea turtles! She started and operates her own nonprofit called Love a Sea Turtle that manages the money raising efforts and has even started programs to monitor and improve water quality along the coast.

As Casey got older she wanted to do more than simply bake cookies. She began a youth program called Upstream Downstream Connection that allows underprivileged kids to come out to the beach to learn about turtles while scuba diving and kayaking. She also partnered with Joe Van Gogh, a local coffee roaster, to create a “Sea Turtle” blend that’s sold in over 120 Fresh Markets across the nation.

Photo credit: www.newsobserver.com 

Through her efforts, Casey has not only raised money for turtles, she has raised awareness to the issues sea turtles face while inspiring both the young and old to become involved and make positive impacts in the world we live in.

Kudos Casey! Keep up the good work!

Photo credit: www.newsobserver.com 

Source: newsobserver.com