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On Saturday, July 22, supporters
gathered at
Oceana’s
16th annual SeaChange Summer Party
in Dana Point, Calif.,
to celebrate a wave of victories for the oceans and raise more than
$1.5 million
in support of Oceana’s ocean conservation campaigns
in California and around the world.
The event honored Academy Award-winning actor and advocate Morgan
Freeman,
and recognized president of the Surf Industry Members Association and CEO
of Vissla, Paul Naudé, as its Ocean
Champion.
Hosted by actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer
June Diane Raphael,
the event concluded with a private concert by Third
Eye Blind.
“This event is a labor of love… for our
oceans, for our SeaChange family, and for the success we are
achieving year after year together in support of Oceana,”
event co-chair Karen Cahill told more than
400 guests.
Oceana Board Member and fellow event co-chair
Elizabeth Wahler added, “thanks to all of you who
help us raise awareness and support for Oceana so that we
can bring back the ocean’s bounty for future generations.
Because a healthy ocean is every child’s rightful
inheritance.”
Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless introduced
event honoree,
Morgan Freeman,
highlighting Freeman’s unwavering commitment to
ocean conservation.
“I’ve worked with Oceana and seen up close
how effective they are. I’ve seen how they are saving sharks
and other ocean creatures and how they are winning policy
victories for our seas.
And right now, we need Oceana more than ever,” Freeman said.
“This old sailor would like to thank and honor all the ocean
heroes in this room for being so helpful to save my second
home.
Our oceans need each and every one of us.”
Additional celebrity guests in attendance
included
Reese Witherspoon, Oscar
Nunez, Ursula Whittaker,
Christina Ochoa, Sally Pressman, Paul Scheer,
Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, Nick Viall, and Andrew Spencer.
Over the past 16 years, Oceana’s SeaChange
Summer Party has raised more than $19 million to address
some of the biggest threats facing the oceans.
This year’s event was made possible by the generous support
of numerous distinguished local and international businesses
and philanthropists.
Oceana’s exclusive watch partner, Blancpain, was the
presenting partner for this year’s event.
For the past 70 years, since the 1953 launch of the world’s first modern
diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has established
deep connections with the world’s oceans and the communities
dedicated to their preservation.
Through its ocean exploration and conservation initiative,
the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, Blancpain has supported
dozens of major scientific expeditions, including two with
Oceana.
The two organizations work closely together to further important
contributions to ocean conservation.
Oceana thanked its event corporate partners,
sponsors, and underwriters including
Presenting Partner Blancpain; Pacific Coast Partners BMW and
the Orange County BMW Centers; Northern Trust; and Biossance.
SeaChange partners include: Alec’s Ice Cream; Monique Bär;
Michael and Patricia Berns; Bruce and Karen Cahill; CHANEL;
Donnie Crevier and Laurie Kraus; Steve and Laurie Duncan;
Giorgio Armani; Marisla Foundation; Robert and Britt Meyer;
Carl and Janet Nolet; Loro Piana; Gena Reed; Louis and Laura
Rohl; South Coast Plaza; Valarie Van Cleave and Uwe
Waiznegger; Elizabeth Wahler; Valaree Wahler; and Tim and
Jean Weiss.
Underwriters include: Brite Ideas; Commerce Printing; Ketel One Botanical;
Ketel One Vodka; Nolet’s Gin; Sand Cloud; Signature Party
Rentals; and Starborough Wine.
For a full list of underwriters and partners,
host committee members, auction items, and more information
about SeaChange and Oceana
visit: SeaChangeSummerParty.org/
Oceana
is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to
ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and
biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in
countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish
catch. With more than 275 victories that stop overfishing,
habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the
killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and
sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A
restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a
healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can
save the oceans and help feed the world.
Visit Oceana.org to
learn more. |