Marine Mammal Care Center: A Story of Kindness and Generosity by Steve Tabor
Marine Mammal Care Center: A Story of Kindness and Generosity
by Steve Tabor
Many of us would simply like to forget 2020! However, the Marine Mammal Care Center’s all-volunteer Board of Directors and its Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Amber Becerra, along with the MMCC staff remember 2020 as a remarkable year filled with genuine gratitude, appreciation, generosity, and a true sense of community!
Why? The reason is simple!
Prior to 2020, the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) operations primarily depended upon a surplus of funds left from the prior operator along with donations from individual donors, local corporations such as the Torrance Refinery and Marathon Petroleum, and grants from various foundations. The MMCC budget was supplemented with smaller individual donations, memberships, and gift shop sales.
As 2020 rapidly approached the Executive Board found that the MMCC budget no longer had sufficient funds to maintain the MMCC’s operations and feared they would have to permanently shutter its doors before the end of 2020. Faced with the unimageable, Becerra and the rest of MMCC Executive Board embarked on what would later be considered a miraculous fundraising campaign, especially in the face of COVID-19’s restrictions and economic downturn.
Becerra exclaims, “This was no easy feat! It was truly a grassroots effort!” The fundraising campaign was not supported by donations from large corporations. Some formal funding events were conducted, but others fell victim to COVID-19 restrictions. The majority of the donations came from caring and concerned community members. Families and grandparents donated what they could. Kids opened lemonade stands. Schools had collection jars. Restaurants supported dining and take-out events and donated a portion of their proceeds. With the community banding to together in their fundraising efforts, the Board of Directors announced that MMCC had reached its one-million-dollar goal and could continue its work caring for the sick and stranded seals and sea lions found along the Southern California Coast. Becerra explains, “It is truly a story of love winning over indifference. The kind of story that gives you hope in our future!”
Unfortunately, the non-profit MMCC’s job is never done. Annually, MMCC treats over 350 seals and sea lions found stranded along over 70 of beaches from Malibu to Seal Beach. The facility is among the busiest in the country as it treats these marine mammals for malnutrition, injuries, and illness. Becerra estimates “The MMCC has cared for over 8,000 marine mammals since it opened in 1992. Without treatment from the MMCC these animals would have otherwise been left to die on our beaches.”
Once the animals have recovered, the MMCC releases them back to their aquatic homes. Transported by truck in rolling carts to Royal Palms Beach or Terranea, the carts are lowered to the sand and the gates on the carts are opened. Becerra explains, “It takes a couple of minutes for the animals to realize where they are, but eventually they stick their heads out of the container and jauntily waddle towards the water.”
For 2021, the MMCC is tasked with continuing fundraising to support its nearly one-million-dollar annual operating budget. Community support is vital to the MMCC to maintain its rescue and recuperation efforts.
“Our website MMCCLA.org lists opportunities for memberships, purchasing MMCC merchandise as well as donation opportunities.” Becerra explains, “Our donation categories include one-time or monthly donations, wills, trusts and annuities donation options, and the ‘Buy a Seal A Meal’ program.”
A recent addition to MMCC’s fundraising program includes the “AmazonSmile” program. Becerra states, “You can use your Amazon purchases to help feed and care for our patients. It’s easy look for ‘AmazonSmile’ and select ‘Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles’”.
The MMCC is currently closed to visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions. Becerra states, “We are looking forward to reopening our doors to the public, so they can have an opportunity to see and learn about these wonderful marine mammals.
Steve Tabor Bio
This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.
Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.