**UPDATE - October 2022*
I just wanted to update everyone on the progress of the plate:
The good people at 3M who are in charge of the printing of the license plate have been working directly with me to make sure the final result looks the best it possibly can. There are limitations with the printing technology which make the color scheme a little tricky to get right immediately. Over the past two months we have been going back and forth trying to get the colors exactly right. So far I've received two physical samples and, even though they are both close, I want to make sure you receive the best version possible. I am currently working with 3M on a third revision which should take care of the concerns I had on the first two proofs.
Once I approve the plate, it will hopefully be in circulation for decades to come so I would rather spend a little extra time now to make sure the plate looks the best it can for everyone who has supported it and also to do justice to the cause that it was intended for.
I appreciate that the wait is frustrating and, believe me, I am not taking these revisions lightly. Please know that I am doing everything in my power to give you the best possible result. I can't wait to get over all the design hurdles and announce the distribution of the plate throughout Florida. As soon as this happens I will let everyone know. Thank you all again for your patience!
-Steve Diossy
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Thank you all for helping us reach the number of sign-ups needed to get this plate into production - with your help we were able to get the 3000 pre-orders in record time! From discussions I’ve had with Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance (PWDA) and Indian River County Tax Collector’s Office, vouchers for the first 3000 orders will be going out over the course of the next two months. Everything is on track, but it takes a little while for these things to process. I am really excited to get this plate because it is my design and I take a lot of pride in helping this organization to protect Florida's marine wildlife. I will remain on top of the process and give updates as soon as I hear anything. I simply can't wait to get this plate on my car!
On another note, I took my mom to swim with the dolphins on Mother's Day. It was our first time and we were on cloud nine. We went to DPMMR (
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder) and it was fantastic! DPMMR works very closely with PWDA and they set up a quick photoshoot with myself, Jett and a promotional plate (not real). Jett is the youngest member of the DPMMR family. He was born on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. He was so much fun! At one point he was supposed to push me from one side of the lagoon to the other but as we got close he decided to veer right at the last moment and took me around the lagoon. I was surprised and laughing at the same time. My Mom was paired with Jett's Mom, Jessica. My mom had so much and she was smiling and laughing like a little kid. Not only did we have so much fun but we learned a lot through their "Connect to Protect" program. DPMMR's dolphin family are true wildlife ambassadors. Once you get connected to them you want to protect them even more!
My mom and I decided we needed to make this an annual Mother's Day tradition from now on. I honestly can't wait to go back and I highly recommend all the fine people there. Everyone was so incredibly helpful and kind.
Thank you all again for all the incredible support! I'll give another update about the plate as soon as I hear anything new.
