In Honor of Starr

Note from Marie: I don't usually include fund-raising appeals on this website, but as an old "friend of Starr" I'm making an exception for this one.

Birdathon in Remembrance of Starr Saphir, to Benefit American Bird Conservancy’s Cerulean Warbler Fund

Dear Potential Sponsor,

On February 5th of this year, the New York City birding community lost Starr Saphir, who was a friend, teacher, mentor, and inspiration to many.  In honor and remembrance of Starr, her life, her indefatigable spirit, and her unsurpassed love of birds and birding Lenore Swenson, Donna Evans and Sandra Paci will participate in this year’s International Migratory Bird Day Birdathon on Saturday, May 11th as the team “Friends of Starr Saphir.”

Pledges raised will go, as per Starr’s wishes, to the American Bird Conservancy’s Cerulean Warbler Fund.  Everyone who has met Starr knows that the Cerulean was her favorite bird of all and was the reason why she was almost never seen without her signature blue headscarf and blue rain jacket.  ABC’s current efforts focus on establishing a conservation corridor between three private reserves on the Cerulean’s wintering grounds in Colombia and on reforesting land in the heart of the bird’s breeding territory in Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  Since the theme of this year’s IMBD is “Life Cycles of Migratory Birds” supporting this cause is a perfect fit.

On May 11th, Lenore, Donna and I will be out from dawn to dusk trying to see as many species of birds as possible.  It is our desire to make a meaningful contribution to the Cerulean Warbler Fund in Starr’s honor and we hope that you can help.  Pledges can be based on the number of species seen or a fixed amount.  Contributions are fully tax deductible.  If you wish to make a per species pledge, please let us know and we will contact you after the Birdathon to report our total number of species.

Checks should be made out to: “American Bird Conservancy” with “Cerulean Warbler Fund” and “Friends of Starr Saphir” in the memo section and mailed to:

American Bird Conservancy

P.O. Box 249

4249 Loudoun Ave.

The Plains, VA 20198-2237

I would greatly appreciate it if you could inform me of the amount of any pledges sent so that we can keep track of all contributions raised for this effort.

Sincerely,

Sandra Paci

For Team: “Friends of Starr Saphir”

Cell: 1-347-834-5881

Email: sandypaci@earthlink.net