Manatee Madness 2022

You can be the proud owner of an original and unique piece of art and take home your very own "Manatee Madness" sculpture and help support Community Housing and Resources (CHR) with your generosity!

The inspiration for "Manatee Madness" began as an idea that CHR’s Executive Director, Melissa Rice had been contemplating for years based on the famous painted “Cow Parades” in cities all over the world. We realized early in 2020 that the festivities and games connected with our usual Mardi Gras fundraiser would not be appropriate, as nothing in our world this past year has been "as we knew it," so we decided the time was right to bring on the cows. Sea Cows, that is. It was so much fun and with the continuing Covid concerns, we decided to do it again as Manatee Madness 2.0.

This year, we found 24 talented fabulous artists who would dedicate their time and creativity to support CHR and transform a manatee sculpture into amazing works of art. The sponsors quickly jumped at the opportunity to support tour local nonprofit. We are humbled by and grateful for the outpouring support from the City of Sanibel and the community at large.

We can only do what we do with your help. CHR depends on fundraising, donations, and community support for over 40% of the annual operating budget needed to continue to provide affordable housing, here in our island community.

The Manatee sculptures have been a joy for all to view and admire over the last few months. They remain in place at their respective locations, and a site map can be found by visiting https://sanibelchr.org/mm2022/map/.

And now, let the Manatee Madness Auction begin! Please remember to "Bid high and bid often!"

The Online Auction ends at 5pm on March 31st. All Manatees will then be on display at our April 1st Mardi Gras Manatee Madness event to be held at Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen in a Silent Auction Manatee Stroll where the high bid from the online auction will be as the beginning bid for the Silent Auction. Three Manatees have been reserved for the Live Auction bidding which will begin at 7:30pm by our Emcees Nicole McHale and Eric Pfeifer. If you can not attend the Live Auction and have your heart set on a Reserved Manatee, we encourage you to send a proxy!

Tickets to attend the Grand Finale at Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen include buffet dinner, full bar, Beignets for dessert, DJ Robert McDonald, dancing, and fun. Tickets can now be purchased at https://sanibelchr.org/mm2022/ at $250 per person. You won’t want to miss this event. All proceeds directly benefit CHR and our affordable housing program.

Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors:

- Adventures in Paradise
- Ashton Kirchner Group
- Bailey's
- Billie Lou Miller
- Chris & Crystal Smith
- Cielo
- Congress Jewelers
- Doc Ford's Sanibel
- Dr. Phillip Marks
- Dream Vacation Rentals
- Ellen & Dave Raisbeck
- Erika & Greg Steiner
- Heidrick Insurance & Co.
- Island Paws
- Jeff Blackman & Laura DeBruce
- Karen Bell & the Bell Team
- Kingfisher Real Estate & Vacations
- Lisa Ann & Bob Miller
- MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
- On Island Sanibel
- Over Easy Café
- Periwinkle Place Shops
- Pfeifer Realty Group
- R.S. Walsh Landscaping
- Roger & Sandy Grogman
- Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
- Sue Kressley & Greg Anderson
- Terri Kuhl
- The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company
- The Sanctuary Gold Club Foundation
- VIP Realtors

***We strongly encourage all winning bidders to contact us directly to arrange payment via the form of a check or money transfer. This will help CHR keep its costs down and not have to worry about the added transaction and credit card fees. Thank you for your understanding.***

Community Housing and Resources, Inc. (CHR) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to provide affordable housing for families and individuals who work and who serve the community of Sanibel.

To be eligible for CHR housing, all household members must either:

• work full time on Sanibel or
• are retired or disabled longtime residents of Sanibel

People sustain our community. CHR works to ensure that Sanibel remains a vibrant island community where caring, experienced people are committed to your health, safety, and welfare.

When we responsibly invest in our future by providing secure and stable housing for our dedicated community members, we all win. Home is the heart of everything— with a home, people succeed, families thrive, and our community remains strong.

All Manatees will be on display at our April 1st Mardi Gras Manatee Madness event, to be held at Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen. The event will include a Silent Auction Manatee Stroll where you can enter your Silent Auction bid.

Please note that the high bid on the Online Auction become the beginning bid at the event's Silent Auction, unless it has been already sold through the Buy It Now option. Manatees purchased under Buy It Now will be marked as SOLD.

Three Manatees have been reserved for the event's Live Auction and are not available at the Online or Silent Auctions. Live bidding will begin at 7:30pm by our Emcees Nicole McHale and Eric Pfeifer. If you have your heart set on a Reserved Manatee and are unable to attend the Live Auction, we encourage you to send a proxy or we can arrange one for you!

Tickets to the event are available on our website at https://sanibelchr.org.