Tricia O’Malley, a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, has donated a $1,000 bench to the nonprofit International Mermaid Museum that opened at the Westport Winery in March.

O’Malley is the author of the Siren Island series about the women of the Laughing Mermaid Bed & Breakfast on a fictional island in the Caribbean, as well as other series and several independent titles.

The author learned about the museum after receiving a note from museum board member, retired Army Colonel Deb Simpson, a longtime supporter of the Winery and member of its book club. Simpson wrote to the author to commend her on her accuracy in the diving scenes in the series, said Kim Roberts, winery co-owner and museum founder.

O’Malley’s publicist wrote to Roberts, who said, “It brought tears to my eyes to receive the note about Tricia’s interest in the museum. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture by her to donate a brick for Deb who has served our country throughout her career. Her donation of a bench really reaches out to her readers and the mer-community. It is a measure of her dedication to both.”

The bench is inscribed with the author’s name, the series title, and the quote “Embrace Your Inner Mermaid.”

Funds raised by the museum are designated to providing ocean ecology curriculum for grade and middle school children, plus scholarship for graduating students seeking careers in the marine industry. Those wishing to join O’Malley in supporting the museum’s fundraising efforts may do so by donating a brick or bench at https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/mermaidmuseum.

The museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is on the grounds of Westport Winery Garden Resort, located halfway between Westport and Aberdeen. For more information visit www.mermaidmuseum.org.