Save Our Seabirds supporters gather for 11th annual Sunset Soiree

After seven months at Save Our Seabirds, Executive Director Brian Walton has had one constant. It’s not the tons of administrative work or catching up on his bird knowledge, though those are a big parts of his job.

Walton shared with the longtime SOS loyalists at the annual Sunset Soiree that his favorite constant has been his new best friend, Slim. The great egret, or “Slim” as Walton has named him, never fails to stop by when Walton is at the SOS campus and has helped him develop a great passion for his new job.

The 11th annual SOS Sunset Soiree was a highly anticipated event for both supporters and Walton. It was held on April 11 at Michael’s On East. Walton shared that this was the first time he was going to meet many of the donors, and he was excited to finally put faces to names.

This is the second year that Michael’s On East has hosted the SOS event. It was previously held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, but guests shared that they enjoy the space they have at Michael's On East to mingle and meet their fellow SOS supporters.

Guests arrived between 6 and 7 p.m. for a cocktail hour in the courtyard to catch up with longtime friends and speak with new employees of SOS such as Walton and avian keepers Amber Paffenroth and Kyla Gerson.

“These first few months have been great,” said Paffenroth. “We have about 100 birds as full-time residents now and then some will come and go as they rehabilitate. But working with everyone at SOS is truly great. We are all friends. Everyone from us the keepers to even Brian Walton, our executive director, really cares about each other and the birds.” 

Paffenroth and Gerson were in charge of the live and silent auction that people perused during the cocktail hour. At 7 p.m., everyone took their seats inside for dinner. Nancy McLean, who organized the event, started the presentation by sharing her story and passion for SOS. The presenting sponsor Rick Konsavage of the Longboat Key Club followed her with his excitement to be a part of the Sunset Soiree.

“With the amazing variety of birds in the area, we know they are in great hands with Save Our Seabirds," said Konsavage. "Our club is totally with them all the way, with Brian and his team, the amazing people in this organization.”

After Konsavage spoke, Walton introduced himself to everyone by giving an update on how his first few months had been at SOS. He shared that he never thought he would end up working for such an amazing nonprofit and is excited to continue to grow with it.

“If you don't hear anything else I say tonight, this is the message that I want you to hear for me: I love my job,” said Walton during his speech. “I knew I was going to like it. I knew I needed a change but it has exceeded my expectations. What better mission can you get than being able to be a part of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing this diversity of bird population? It is a great honor to be a part of it.”

Walton shared that they are close to raising enough money to build five new aviaries thanks to SOS donors fundraising since last year. He also said they are partnering with DSDG architects to craft a master plan for a complete renovation of the SOS campus. This will include a new hospital and all brand-new aviaries. 

After dinner, SOS resident veterinarian Dr. Maria Passarelli followed with a talk about the importance of caring for birds and being a part of SOS.

Walton’s fiance Scarlette Antigua moved to Sarasota with him for his new job at SOS and has seen him grow an immense passion for his work.

“I love to see how passionate he has become,” said Antigua. “He has really dedicated time to becoming an expert on birds, which he didn’t know much about before. He also has used his time getting to the staff and letting them know that he is there for them. That is just him. He is so passionate about understanding the people he works with and the mission of what they are doing.”