Vote for coral reef exhibit at Aquarium of Niagara

The Aquarium of Niagara, following its grant request filing with the national Pepsi Refresh Project, reports it is now in the running for a $50,000 grant in the month of September. All year long, Pepsi will distribute up to $1.3 million a month to 32 different grant applications through its Pepsi Refresh Project. Projects are selected in four monetary amounts: $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $250,000, with two funded at the latter amount each month. The Aquarium of Niagara Exhibits Department requested $50,000 for its coral reef project.

Aquarium exhibits staffers, Dan Arcara, supervisor, and Michele Long, part-time aquarist, believe many of the area's younger residents often visit the Aquarium of Niagara before traveling to an ocean, and some may never get the chance to do even that. Because the coral reefs in general are in distress due to climate change and human activity, some may disappear within 50 years. By seeing even a small segment of a coral reef, youngsters can learn their importance and why they need protection.

If selected for the grant, the Aquarium of Niagara's envisioned coral reef project will combine the beauty of a living reef with an educational audio-visual display.

Area residents and patrons of the Aquarium of Niagara now have the opportunity to help create a coral reef exhibit at the venue without spending a dime. All that is needed is their vote. Vote once a day, every day, as permitted by Pepsi Refresh rules, through the end of this month.

This is your chance to have your vote count, and not just for the Aquarium of Niagara Pepsi Refresh Project, but for other projects suggested by folks from across the country. Refresh grants are awarded to the project that garners the most votes. Vote online, by phone, text, or via Facebook or Twitter.

To vote or learn more about this grant project, visit www.refresheverything.com/coralreefproject. Also, visit www.aquariumofniagara.org and follow the voting on Facebook.

For further information, contact Arcara at 285-3575, ext. 211.