Aquarium closes in on Pepsi grant

The Aquarium of Niagara is still in the running for a Pepsi Refresh grant that would allow the exhibits department to create a new coral reef exhibit.

Coming in 62nd out of thousands of proposals, the Aquarium of Niagara project is now rolled over into this month and the voting for the coral reef project, estimated to cost $50,000, must begin all over again. Dan Arcara, exhibits supervisor, urges everyone to either text votes or go online to vote. People can vote daily, to get the Aquarium of Niagara in the top 10. Those projects will be awarded the grants.

"We need everyone's continued support. Vote daily, every day, e-mail or text friends, relatives and everyone in your address book," said Arcara.

To vote for the Aquarium of Niagara's Reef Project Grant (through Oct. 31), text 102344 to 73774, which is the Pepsi number, or go online at www.refresheverything.com/niagarareefproject. You can also start on the Aquarium of Niagara website, www.aquariumofniagara.org, or off your own Facebook account.

This is a chance to help create a $50,000 coral reef exhibit at the Aquarium of Niagara without spending a dime. All you have to do is vote once a day.

All year long, Pepsi will distribute up to $1.3 million a month to 32 different grant applications. Projects are selected in four monetary amounts: $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $250,000. (Only two are funded at the latter amount each month).

Aquarium of Niagara exhibits staffers Arcara and Michele Long, part-time aquarist, believe many of the area's younger residents often visit the Aquarium of Niagara before ever seeing 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.

The Aquarium of Niagara's coral reef project, should it get enough votes, will combine the beauty of a living reef with an educational audio-visual display. Voting can be followed on Facebook. For more information, contact Arcara at 285-3575, ext. 211.