Sheryl Crow Rocks for Oceana at 2013 SeaChange Summer Party
Press Release Date: August 20, 2013
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
Laguna Beach, CA: Sheryl Crow, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Dennis Haysbert, Angela Kinsey, Anna Torv and other celebrity guests attended the 6th annual SeaChange Summer Party in Laguna Beach on Sunday evening to support Oceana, the world’s largest ocean conservation organization. Crow performed an acoustic set at this year’s sold out event, which was held at a private coastal villa in Laguna Beach. Approximately 400 guests attended the event and helped raise over $1 million for Oceana.
Actor and longtime Oceana Board Member Ted Danson walked the blue carpet with wife Mary Steenburgen, mingled with guests and shared his passion for protecting the ocean with the crowd. Dennis Haysbert lent his booming voice as Master of Ceremonies during the program.
“I came here last year to introduce my friend Morgan Freeman, and I was struck by the effectiveness of Oceana,” Haysbert told the captivated crowd. “And also the stated mission of SeaChange: ‘A healthy ocean is every child’s rightful inheritance’. Let’s sit with that for a second.”
The event honored Ocean Champions Philippe Cousteau, Oceana Senior Advisor Alexandra Cousteau, and James L. Connaughton, the former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush on energy, environment and natural resources. The event was also attended by Oceana celebrity supporters including Anna Torv (“Fringe” and Ryan Murphy’s HBO pilot “Open”), Angela Kinsey (“The Office”), Anne Heche with husband James Tupper (ABC’s “Revenge”), and Emily Osment (Disney’s “Hannah Montana”). Mary Lynn Rajskub (“24”), Oscar Nunez (“The Office”), Luke Tipple (host of CW Network’s “Capture”) and Mary Murphy (“So You Think You Can Dance”) were also in attendance to support Oceana.
In between songs, Sheryl Crow explained her personal connection to Oceana’s mission.
“I was a kid that grew up dreaming about the ocean. When I was 6 my dad took us all down to Florida and we rented an Airstream across the street from the ocean. My mom always said that we had to leave every campground better than when we found it. And that has always been my motto and my kids know it. So now I have a 6 year old and we go down to the same spot and we always pick up trash on the beach, and he’s adamant about it. In his little eyes I feel that we’re going to see our oceans change because they’ll be a generation of kids who are starting to get educated to what’s happening out here.”
Before Crow took the stage, SeaChange guests were treated to a sit-down dinner, presentations from Oceana executives, directors and supporters. Guests also raised their paddles in both silent and live auctions.
The highlight of the auction was the lively bidding for a 6-day Tahitian voyage on the HEMISPHERE, the world’s largest recreational catamaran – donated by Burgess, the World’s Superyacht specialists. Other items included a Harry Winston Watch, Mikimoto double strand black pearl and diamond necklace, Brioni custom suit, gorgeous handbags from Gucci, Porsche Design, Escada, Prada, Miu Mui, Giorgio Armani, Barbara Bui and Salvatore Ferragamo. Stunning jewelry from Piaget, Chopard, Ippolita, David Yurman and more. Fabulous trips including an African Safari, Tuscany Villa, CMH Heli-Skiing, trips to the Galapagos with Lindblad-National Geographic and Quasar Expeditions. Stays at Montage Laguna Beach and Montage Deer Valley, Las Ventanas- Cabo, Six Senses Maldives, Four Seasons Punta Mita and many others.
Party-goers capped the evening with time spent dancing in the ocean breeze at the Post Party Lounge.
SeaChange was co-chaired by Oceana Board Member Valarie Van Cleave and Oceana Council Member Eve Kornyei Ruffatto.
“In Orange County, the ocean is so important to business, the economy, families and the beauty and health of our area,” Van Cleave said from the stage. “Together, we have the power to be the generation that saves the oceans here and around the world.”
Oceana’s CEO Andy Sharpless addressed the crowd with a captivating speech on how we can save the oceans and feed the world, a topic he addresses in his new book The Perfect Protein. “An abundant ocean is an achievable goal. If we can stop overfishing in the waters of just 10 countries, more than two thirds of the world’s ocean fish catch can be delivered to the future – healthy and abundant.”
The SeaChange Summer Party is made possible by the generous support from various distinguished local and international businesses and philanthropists. Partners and underwriters include the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation. Tricia & Michael Berns, Cindy & Steve Fry, Eve Kornyei Ruffatto & Michael J. Ruffatto, Harriet & Sandy Sandhu, Janet and Carl Nolet, South Coast Plaza, Wells Fargo, Sanda and Ray Wirta, Laura and Lou Rohl, Julie Hill, Jean &Tim Weiss, Wendy & Rick Aversano, Crevier Family Foundation, Jim Salomon and Doug Pasquale, Dr. Danni Sun, Sutton & Christian Stracke, Mutual of America, Steve and Marissa Robbins, One World One Ocean, Dwight Manley, Tod Bensen, JoAnne Artman Gallery, Valaree Wahler & LadyLUX, Barbara Streisand Foundation, Bloomingdales, and our Underwriters-Neiman Marcus, Coast Magazine, Commerce Printing, Patron and Ultimat Vodka, Matanzas Creek Winery, Champagne Deutz, Epic Wines.
For a full list of underwriters and partners, host committee members, and more information about SeaChange visit www.SeaChangeSummerParty.org
The online auction will continue until August 22nd. For a full list of auction items please visit the SeaChange Party page at charitybuzz.
