2018 SeaChange Summer Party | Oceana

2018 SeaChange Summer Party

 

On Saturday, July 21, Oceana held its 11th Annual SeaChange Summer Party. Ted Danson, Dennis Haysbert, Austin Nichols, Hassie Harrison, Christina Ochoa, and Oscar Nunez were among those who attended.

This year’s SeaChange Summer Party was emceed by Ted Danson and featured a special performance by singer-songwriter-actress Katharine McPhee.

“It’s a challenging time for our seas,” Ted Danson told the crowd. “We’ve all seen the headlines: marine life imperiled, critical habitat destroyed, warming waters, coral bleaching, oil spills, and more – the oceans are under threat. But Oceana is built to meet this challenge head on.

The sold-out evening was held at a private coastal villa in Laguna Beach. Approximately 400 guests attended the event, raising more than $1.3 million for Oceana and local ocean conservation efforts.

“Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless spoke on the night’s theme – protecting corals – and noted that “Oceana’s teams are winning battles that will give the corals a chance. We’re fighting to stop expanded ocean oil drilling – a real threat that exists right here off the entire California coast. We’re also fighting to stop coral-destroying bottom trawling. And we’re winning, including recent victories in Chile and the Philippines and new protections for 16,000 square miles right offshore of here.”

SeaChange was co-chaired by Oceana Board Chair Valarie Van Cleave and ocean advocate Elizabeth Wahler together with Event Vice Chair Jeff Blasingame.

“Every year, I am so inspired by the generosity and spirit of this community,” Valarie Van Cleave said. “For more than a decade, the people of Orange County have come together to support healthy oceans. I am humbled by their continued support and thank everyone who came to this year’s SeaChange.”

The program concluded with a performance from Katharine McPhee who sang songs including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “She Used to Be Mine,” and “God Bless the Child.” “I made a commitment to be at Oceana’s gala six months ago, and I am so happy I was able to come after all,” Katharine McPhee said. “An amazing cause, and a beautiful purpose. Thank you for having me! I adopted two turtles tonight!”

The SeaChange silent and live auctions included a wide array of exclusive items including a Luxury Charter to French Polynesia on Hemisphere, the world’s largest luxury Catamaran, BMW 530e Luxury Hybrid car, a Mikimoto triple strand pearl and diamond Necklace, stunning Villa in Phuket, Thailand and jewelry from Twila True Fine Jewelry and Watches, custom suits from Zegna and David August, jewelry from David Yurman, Julia Post, K. Brunini and Chopard, gorgeous luxury items from Baccarat, Diptyque, Giorgio Armani, Lanvin, Liuli Crystal, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Neiman Marcus-Fashion Island, Porsche Design, Ralph Lauren, Roger Vivier, Salvatore Ferragamo, South Coast Plaza, TOD’S, and Versace. Amazing trips and getaways from Royal African Safaris, Four Seasons Lana’i, Lindblad Galapagos, Four Seasons Papagayo- Costa Rica, Baja Discovery Whale Expeditions, Silversands-Grenada, Montage, St. Regis-Aspen, Four Seasons-Bora Bora, Rosewood-Las Ventanas, among others.

The SeaChange Summer Party is made possible by the generous support of various distinguished local and international businesses and philanthropists. Special thanks to Burgess Yachts, Hemisphere, BMW and the Southern California BMW Centers, Coast Magazine, Commerce Printing, Nolet Spirits and Ketel One, One Ocean Beauty, and BV Coastal Estates Wines.

For a full list of underwriters and partners, host committee members, auction items and more information about SeaChange visit: http://seachangesummerparty.org.