Gulfport, Fla. – When gallery owner Brenda McMahon dropped off an injured bird at the Birds in Helping Hands rehabilitation center in Pinellas County, she saw an opportunity to blend art and wildlife care. The result is “For the Birds, An Artful Fundraiser,” a temporary exhibition featuring sixty pieces by local artists, displayed at the Brenda McMahon Gallery through the end of August.
Community‑Driven Purpose
McMahon explained that her motivation stems from a desire to be an active part of the Gulfport community and to raise awareness for causes she cares about. “One of my driving forces behind the gallery is to be part of the community and to really raise awareness for whatever it is we’re thinking of,” she said.
Artists from the surrounding area contributed works that celebrate avian subjects, ranging from realistic bird portraits to abstract interpretations of flight. A percentage of each sale will be donated directly to Birds in Helping Hands, a nonprofit that has been caring for injured birds and other wildlife since 2017.
How the Funds Help
Denise Mosley, co‑founder of Birds in Helping Hands, emphasized that rehabilitating injured birds requires specialized resources, precise diets, and constant attention. “Rehabbers, it’s not like they can just give them food or whatever. You have to give them a certain kind of thing for them to rehab and for them to actually thrive again,” Mosley said.
The organization relies on a network of about seven dedicated volunteer rehabilitators. Among them are Marty and Mary Lisan, a husband‑and‑wife team who have been involved in wildlife rehabilitation for 25 years. Together, they cared for roughly 1,200 birds last year and are on track to match that number this year.
“We do try to save as many as we can,” Marty Lisan said. “If a majority of them live, we feel like we’ve done our job.” Mary Lisan added, “The whole thing is the release. That is the biggest reward, if you can release a bird and have it survive in the world.”
Impact and Next Steps
Since the exhibition opened, about half of the sixty artworks have been sold, providing immediate financial support for the nonprofit’s ongoing rehabilitation efforts. The gallery will keep the exhibition on view until the end of August, giving residents additional time to view the pieces and contribute to the cause.
Both McMahon and Mosley hope the event not only raises funds but also educates the public about the importance of wildlife stewardship. By connecting the local art community with a vital animal‑care organization, the fundraiser highlights how Gulfport residents can work together to protect the region’s natural heritage.
The story was compiled from statements by gallery owner Brenda McMahon and Birds in Helping Hands co‑founder Denise Mosley.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
