Harrison Ford, Sam Waterston, John Picard Honored at Benefit in Orange County
Press Release Date: October 1, 2009
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
On Friday, July 18th, 450 people came out in Orange County for The SeaChange Summer Party. The event raised funds for leading ocean conservation group Oceana, and honored actor and board member of Conservation International, Harrison Ford; actor and Oceana board member, Sam Waterston, and internationally-acclaimed sustainability entrepreneur, John Picard.
The SeaChange event took place at the estate of Bruce and Karen Cahill, a spectacular home in Laguna Beach with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. The record setting event raised $1 million through ticket sales and auction items. The main beneficiary of the event was Oceana. In addition, 10percent of the evening’s proceeds is being donated to Orange County area conservation organizations through the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association environmental fund.
Main sponsors of the event were Toyota, Lugano Diamonds, the Harriet E. Pfegler Foundation, Shangri La Enterprises, La Mer, the PIMCO Foundation, the Marisla Foundation, Ermenegildo Zegna and Wells Fargo Bank. Private donors included Larry and Deborah Bridges, Paul and Lilly Merage, and Steven Spielberg. Silent and live auction items were generously donated by several elite international brands. Celebrity supporters attending the event, in addition to the honorees, included Oceana board member Ted Danson, Beau Bridges, Calista Flockhart, Jeff Goldblum, Diane Keaton and Diane Lane.
Event Co-Chairs Valarie Whiting, Julie Hill, and Danson kicked off the evening’s program in front of roaring claps and enthusiastic cheers, welcoming their attendance at what was later mentioned as the largest and most successful environmental fundraiser in Orange County. “The SeaChange Summer Party demonstrates that there is a major interest in helping to restore the oceans both locally and internationally,” said Whiting.
The program continued with introductions by Danson, Jeff Goldblum and Oceana board member Keith Addis. Honorees John Picard, Sam Waterston and Harrison Ford each gave presentations calling on the audience to continue their commitment to protecting the oceans.
“We have done great things before in human history. We can do it again. Are you in?” said Ford. “Let’s not let this award be an empty vessel – let’s work for fundamental transformation – a real SeaChange in ocean policy,” he continued.
The SeaChange Summer party is the first of what organizers hope will be an annual Orange County event recognizing the importance of the oceans as a vital ecosystem and honoring those who are actively helping preserve its delicate habitats and wildlife.
For event photos, please contact Kevin Connor at 202-467-1910 or kconnor@oceana.org.
SeaChange Summer Party Auction Donors:
Alejandro Martinez-Pena
Bayside Restaurant
Bulgari
Blackbird Vineyards
Chloe
Chanel
Charlie Palmer
Dancing with the Stars
Dr. Nancy Silverberg
Elizabeth Laul Healy
Emernegildo Zegna
Fairmont Newport Beach
Gucci
Hugo Boss
Ink Wells Paperie
IZO Cleanze
John Varvatos
La Mer
LA Sports Club
Law & Order
Los Angeles Clippers
Mad Men
Mandarin Fine Art Gallery
Maya Lin
Mikimoto
Montage Hotel, Beverly Hills
National Geographic
Nicholas Hernandez
Oakley
Pascal
Sondra Leigh Richardson
Sony
South Coast Plaza
Stella McCartney
TK’s Froghouse
Toyota
Traditional Jewelers
Van Cleef & Arpels
Yves St. Laurent
SeaChange Award Designed by:
Dale Chihuly (www.chihuly.com)
