| ORONO, MAINE – The Lobster Institute created its Rising Star Award for “Best New Industry Partner – Fundraising and Environmental Initiatives”, to recognize a lobster industry business that worked together with the Institute for the first time to raise awareness and the necessary funds for the Lobster Institute to continue its mission to “conduct and provide for research and educational outreach focused on protecting, conserving, and enhancing the lobster resource and lobstering as an industry…and as a way of life.”
Lobster Gram, Inc. Founder and Chairman Dan Zawacki received the Institute’s 2008 Rising Star Award in recognition of Lobster Gram’s innovative “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale”. The tough economic downturn in Fall 2008 made it difficult for lobster fishermen in the North Atlantic to move their healthy supply of lobsters – during what is typically their most lucrative season. Lobster Gram, Inc. conceived the “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale” as a way to help these lobstermen protect their livelihoods. Zawacki explained “Lobster Gram just wanted to do what it could to help an industry that has been instrumental in our success.” As an additional motivator for customers, the sale also served as a fund raising mechanism for the Lobster Institute. For each purchase through the “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale”, Lobster Gram contributed $1 to the Lobster Institute. Nearly $2,000 was raised.
“We are very proud to count Lobster Gram as one of our newest industry partners,” said Dr. Bob Bayer, Executive Director of the Lobster Institute. “Dan has admirable foresight when it comes to the sustainability of the lobster resource and the fishery. He completely understands the mission of the Lobster Institute and our C.O.R.E. focus: Conservation, Outreach, Research, and Education…for the future of the lobster industry. His ‘Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale’ is an example of his creative style and commitment to the fishery. It was doubly effective as it helped the lobstermen out of a tight jam, and raised both visibility and funds for the Lobster Institute.”
Dan “The Lobster Man” Zawacki started Lobster Gram in 1987 and it remains one of the top direct-mail retailers of lobster and gourmet foods. They ship all their live Maine lobster packages directly from their warehouse in Biddeford, Maine; and their National Customer Service Headquarters are in Chicago. You can learn more about them and their products at www.livelob.com or at 1-800-LIVELOB.
The Lobster Institute has a 20+-year history of working with and for the lobster industry -- with an industry-driven focus on conservation, outreach, research, and education to sustain a healthy resource and a viable fishery. It serves the entire American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishing region, from Long Island Sound to Newfoundland, from its home base at the University of Maine. You can learn more about the Lobster Institute at www.lobsterinstitute.org or by calling 207-581-2751. |
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