Forever & Friends event to benefit Friends of Wildlife | Forever Tattoo Parlour’s charity vendor market to feature food, drink — and tattoos
A Cape Coral tattoo shop is once again hosting an event where proceeds will benefit local wildlife advocates.
This Sunday, Forever Tattoo Parlour will offer an array of predawn tattoos to be chosen and tattoos the day-of, with all profits donated to the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Wildlife Trust.
The “Forever and Friends” benefit starts at 3 p.m. and will run late, featuring a vendor market consisting of local small businesses and food and drink for those that want to support the cause but do not want a tattoo.
Forever Tattoo has hosted the event three out of the last four years, and it has raised nearly $10,000.
“We believe that it’s important to give back to the community and offer others an opportunity to do so as well,” said Gema Cisneros of Forever Tattoo. “I think many people care about wildlife, but often don’t know how they can support it and give back. Many people I know want to be more involved but are often strapped for time and resources, so this event gives them an opportunity to support their community, feel good about it, and get something really cool back in return. We’ve seen so many people, young and old, come together during this event. It’s been beautiful to see the outpour of support for our local wildlife; we all share that same love.”
There will be various designs available to attendees to have inked, priced from $100 to $200.
Cisneros said the shop specializes in the American traditional style, which the designs will emulate. Designs feature local wildlife, flowers, traditional tattoo motifs, and more. Past events have seen up to 50 tattoos provided in one day, and organizers hope there are even more this weekend.
Cisneros said the team at Forever Tattoo are animal and wildlife lovers — most of whom have lived in Southwest Florida their entire lives.
“Each one of us sees the importance of preserving and supporting our wildlife, especially now when it faces greater risk than ever,” she said. “As an employee of Forever Tattoo and also a member of the CCWT board, I’ve been so lucky to have coworkers who see and share the same appreciation and reverence towards wildlife. We’ve held many events at Forever Tattoo for a multitude of fundraisers. So, when I pitched doing one to help the CCWT and CCFW purchase land for conservation in Cape Coral, everyone was immediately on board.”
The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is a nonprofit, volunteer organization with a purpose to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species, and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources. The Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, which is a sister organization to CCFW, acquires land to protect burrowing owls, gopher tortoises, and a myriad of other local species.
Of the nearly $10,000 raised through these events, Cisneros said it makes the team feel extremely proud.
“It’s a reflection of our community,” she said. “Everyone who has come and received a tattoo, eaten a hot dog, or bought a handmade bag can say that they helped preserve and protect local wildlife habitat, and I think that’s a really cool thing to be able to say. It gives me a tremendous sense of pride to live in and be part of a community that cares so much about each other and wildlife.”
Other than the flash tattoo offerings, the event will have food, drinks, handmade goods, vintage clothing, jewelry, and more.
“I believe people should come out even if they don’t get tattooed because it’s a fun way to engage with the community and be a part of something special,” Cisneros said. “They can also support multiple small businesses, all of which will be donating a percentage of their profit to the organizations. It’s hard to meet people nowadays, and this event is also an opportunity to meet like minded people who care for our local wildlife.”
Forever Tattoo Parlour is at 1505 Southeast 47th St.
For more information on CCFW, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.