NARBC shows how the reptile community comes together

Cindy and Seri at one of the many NARBC Tinley Park shows

Shortly after the March NARBC, Seri Dukart of Gallery Gekko and Creature Care Cards was preparing to go in for her second knee replacement when tragedy struck at home. A fire wiped out both her home and attached dog grooming business. It was a total loss. While most of her animals survived, she lost her beloved African Grey, Toba. With a week to surgery, Seri got everything set. She shipped her geckos across the country to a friend who could hold them until she had a place to live again that was not a camper, a local pet shop opened for her reptile pets to hang out and educate people about reptiles and she ended up finding a place to rent to continue serving her grooming clients. Her home was older and to rebuild, she needed to come up with $10-$15,000 to get the electrical upgrades to get insurance to kick in to start the repairs so she could move back home and restart her life.

That is where NARBC and USARK stepped up. Like we always do when our community needs help, but this was the first time I got roped into the actual auction part. I had to do the organizing part! Sara from Twin Cities Reptiles helped me get organized on the back end but had a family emergency and could not make the show. I also want to thank Caitlin Monesmith from the Chicago Herpetological Society for manning the silent auction table. We had some wonderful donations (and yes kingsnake.com donated a swag package) but I promised to make Seri cry and I succeeded. I made the ultimate sacrifice and sent Adeline Robertson a pair of white crocs and on there she painted a wonderful memorial of Seri's beloved Toba and a beautiful Tokay. In all we raised $8007 for Seri and I heard from her yesterday. We helped her make the payment needed to start the electrical repairs and that begins next Monday.

Thank you everyone who helped out or even just gave Seri a hug. This is one of the many reasons I have been proud ot be part of this community. It is why I feel joy when you all call me Ma! or Mom. We are a weird little family and it is the best kind of family.

Here is the video from me introducing Seri at the auction. This is an NARBC auction, remember all the warnings. This is NOT FCC friendly. There is a curse word. There were libations. We were loosey goosey, if you get my meaning, but we wanted you to be there!