The Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction, begins this Saturday, November 10th and runs through December 15, 2007, at www.reefrelief.org. "This is Reef Relief's biggest fundraiser of the year and supports year-round efforts to protect coral reefs," noted Karen Bohnsack, this year's auction manager. "The auction is a great way to shop online for the holidays while benefiting our local coral reefs."

The event has garnered major support from American Express, Comcast, the Key West Citizen, Southernmost Hotel Collection, and Sunny Days Catamarans. Some of the great auction items include a Disney cruise, a bareboat charter in the Bahamas from The Moorings Vacations, hotel stays, dining, merchandise from Keys retailers, passes to local attractions, artwork by Guy Harvey, David Harrison Wright and Cuban artists from the Clyde Hensley collection and lots more...

"You can get involved several ways: be a cash sponsor of the event, donate an auction item, provide email lists so we can invite your friends to be a part of the auction, but most of all, the Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction gives everyone, no matter where you live, an opportunity to do shop online for great deals," notes Bohnsack. "Plus, join us at the Beach Party hosted by Southernmost Hotel Collection at the newly-renovated Southernmost Beach Cafe on Sunday, November 18th from 2-6 pm. The party on the beach at the oceanside of Duval Street will feature the music of Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band. There will be computers available to place bids on the auction.

Reef Relief designs and implements environmental education programs, guides policy-making on issues that affect the reef, and launches marine projects that make a difference for coral reefs. Reef Relief recently moved into new headquarters behind the Conch Republic Seafood Company in Key West, and created a public environmental center. Founder Craig Quirolo has been surveying coral reefs for many years and is credited with the discovery of several new coral diseases. The images can be accessed at the Online Archive at www.reefrelief.org. It provides valuable data to students, educators, divers, scientists and the general public on changing reef health. Reef Relief's Clean Water Campaign has focused on the need to improve water quality by promoting advanced wastewater and stormwater treatment, creation of no discharge zones for boater sewage, and increased understanding of the need for clear, clean nutrient-free waters for the coral reefs to thrive. Reef Relief has helped start up coral reef conservation programs throughout the Caribbean beginning with the installation of reef mooring buoys. Reef Relief originally installed 116 buoys at Key West area coral reefs that are now part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary buoy program. It currently maintains a system of 18 buoys and operates the Capt. Roberts House Environmental Center in Green Turtle Cay-Key West's sister city in the Abacos, Bahamas.

So make a point of checking out www.reefrelief.org on Nov. 10th to view all the great auction items and place your bids on your favorites. For more info: contact Reef Relief at www.reefrelief.org, email [email protected] or call (305) 294-3100.