Gulf Breeze activist Dolores Pittman (right) on Tuesday presents $274 to Stephanie Chase, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union Branch Supervisor. Gulf Winds will match the donation and add a total of $548 to an existing relief fund of over $54,000. Gulf Breeze resident Dolores Pittman is fighting for inhabitants of the Gulf Coast – human and other.

On Tuesday, she donated $274 to Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union (GWFCU), to add to an existing relief fund for area wildlife affected by the oil spill.

Pittman says she has been compelled to get involved with the relief effort since the disaster happened on April 20.

“I am a native Floridian, and I actually tried to volunteer with BP,” Pittman said.

After enduring what she says was a frustrating registration process full of red tape and runaround, Pittman decided to organize her own effort.

She is raising money by selling bumper stickers protesting oil giant BP. Pittman is selling the stickers – with taglines such as “BP = Big profits before people and environment” – at Bands on the Beach on Tuesday evenings. They can also be purchased for $2-$3 in Pensacola Beach establishments Doghouse Deli and Castaways.

Pittman’s donation will be matched by GWFCU, and a total of $548 will be added to over $54,000 already raised to assist the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida’s effort to rehabilitate affected animals.

“We have to step up and do something,” Pittman said. “I am very proud of our community, but I know we can do more.”

Pittman encourages businesses that want to help to contact her at seashelldee@aol.com. Scott Page/Gulf Breeze News