August 24, 2009
Second SeaChange a Success
BY: Emily Fisher
This past Saturday, 400 people came out to Villa di Sogni in Laguna Beach, California for the second annual SeaChange Summer Party, which honored actress Glenn Close and Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. The event raised nearly $900,000 for ocean conservation through ticket sales and auction items, with Oceana as the main beneficiary of the event. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local ocean conservation organizations. Celebrity attendees included Oceana board member Ted Danson, last year’s SeaChange honorees Harrison Ford and John Picard, Jeff Goldblum, Kate Walsh, Anne Heche, James Tupper, Aaron Peirsol, Lauren Hutton, Sam Trammell, Missy Yager, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Penny Marshall.Event Co-Chairs Valarie Whiting and Ted Danson along with Chair Emeritus Julie Hill kicked off the evening’s program, which continued with introductions by Danson, Harrison Ford and Oceana board member Keith Addis. Honorees Glenn Close and Morgan Freeman each gave presentations calling on the audience to continue their commitment to protecting the oceans. The SeaChange Summer party is an annual Orange County event recognizing the sea’s importance and honoring those who are actively helping preserve its habitats and wildlife. Thanks to all who participated in the event and made it such a resounding success!