Georgia Aquarium Announces Sponsored Admission Expansion

Fish Wish Program to include Shepherd Center; military vets to swim at Aquarium

Atlanta, GA (September 9, 2008) –

The Georgia Aquarium announced today the expansion of its Fish Wish program, providing 250 tickets to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta(CHOA) and 200 tickets to Shepherd Center this year. To kick off the expansion, the Aquarium welcomed military veterans to participate in its Journey with Gentle Giants program, swimming alongside whale sharks and a manta ray in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, built by The Home Depot on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m.

Through the Fish Wish program, several military veterans currently in rehabilitation for spinal cord or brain injuries at Shepherd Center will be joined by Aquarium benefactor Bernie Marcus during their once-in-a-lifetime experience. Marcus underwrites the SHARE Initiative for wounded soldiers to cover the costs of rehabilitation care and services that may fall outside of their military health plan benefits, but are necessary for patients to reach their fullest recovery potential. 

Fish Wish was created by Georgia Aquarium to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening or life-changing illnesses and create family bonding experiences at the Georgia Aquarium.  With the partnership expanding with CHOA, more children will now have their wishes to visit the Aquarium fulfilled and with the addition of the Shepherd Center as a partner, the program will now benefit their patients including America’s veterans.  The expansion of the Sponsored Admission Program to the Georgia Aquarium was made possible by the generous donations of individuals and corporate sponsors.  In addition to serving those with medical challenges, the Sponsored Admission Program also brings thousands of under-privileged children to the Aquarium every year.

For more information about the Fish Wish program and how you can help, please visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/supportUs/sponsoredAdmission.aspx.

About the Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, is the world’s largest with more than eight million gallons of water and the largest collection of aquatic animals. The mission of the Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards; offering engaging and exciting guest experiences promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. The Georgia Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.