News

Staff Story

By Kerry Azzarello, Full-Charge Bookkeeper

Growing up on a small lake in New Jersey and vacationing at the Jersey Shore every year, I developed a love of everything to do with the water. We fished, boated, and swam all summer. After college, I moved to California, where I got to experience a very different coast and even more sea life. Whales, sea lions, and otters fascinated me. There, I met the man who would become my husband, and he encouraged me to learn to scuba dive, giving me a whole new perspective on the wonders beneath the water’s surface.

I have always known about manatees, but when I moved to Florida and got to see them up close, I was hooked! When anyone would come to visit during manatee season, off we went to Blue Spring State Park to see the manatees. I loved exploring Florida’s beaches and waterways whenever I could. Years ago, I was standing in waist-deep water on Florida’s Gulf Coast when something very large slowly swam into view about 15 feet out from me and other beachgoers. I quickly and excitedly realized it was a manatee! Luckily, everyone kept their distance and respectfully let the manatee glide by. One man went running back to the beach yelling, “Hon, hon—you gotta come see this—I think it’s a baby whale!”

When a job opened at Save the Manatee Club years (and many manatee viewings) later, I jumped at the opportunity. I love all animals. My husband and I have been fostering cats and kittens for years and have eight rescue cats of our own. It is so gratifying to work in an organization filled with animal lovers that are so focused on helping these gentle giants.

I’ve traveled a lot, and when I talk about where I work, people are so enthusiastic about manatees—even if they’ve never seen one. I like to believe that our staff’s education and outreach efforts are having far-reaching effects. I bet that man who thought he saw a baby whale can now recognize a manatee.