It all started with a photo; one tiny sea turtle nestled inside a black-and-yellow tote.
The image, shared by Sea Turtle Specialists, a Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating turtles, made its way to Mike Wilson, Brand Management Lead with Lowe’s private brands team. The moment was too heartwarming to ignore and too relevant. He recognized the tote as one of Lowe’s own Project Source Teeny Tote™️. From there, things moved quickly.
“I want to help,” Wilson said. And he did.
Lowe’s donated a full suite of storage totes and organizational shelving, providing a much-needed boost to the small but mighty team behind Sea Turtle Specialists. Based at the Palm Beach Zoo, the nonprofit operates a permitted sea turtle hospital in coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). And they’ve had no shortage of turtles to treat.
“Since opening in August, we’ve taken in nearly 2,000 turtles,” said Whitney Crowder, co-founder and executive director. Crowder said the donation was a game-changer for the small but mighty turtle haven. “We weren't as organized as we would like to have been, and so we've already put it all to use. Now, we have a tool shed that we've organized all our bins and all our equipment. It's been amazing.”
The totes are iconic in the world of sea turtle conservation. They're used to carry hatchlings to safety, transport injured turtles, and house vital equipment.
To celebrate the donation, Lowe’s associates joined the Sea Turtle Specialists’ crew for an offshore release. They boarded a 50-foot catamaran and sailed 20 miles into the Atlantic in search of sargassum, a floating seaweed that serves as critical habitat for young turtles.
“It was such a beautiful day,” Crowder said. “Getting to share that experience with the Lowe’s team, to show them firsthand how their support makes a difference, meant the world to us”.
“When we launched the Teeny Tote, I never imagined it would be used to protect something so vulnerable and beautiful, and seeing that stopped me in my tracks.” said Mike Wilson. “Solving problems and fulfilling dreams doesn’t stop at our stores, it’s something we can carry into the communities surrounding us.”
Sea Turtle Specialists are still growing, both in mission and in ambition. They hope to eventually build their own facility; one designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the thousands of turtles they help each year.
“It’s really magical when you see organizations reach out like you guys did and just want to help and support each other.” Crowder said. “It is really incredible."
