Oceana's 2011 SeaChange Summer Party Welcomed Special Guests Diane Lane and Josh Brolin - Oceana USA

Oceana’s 2011 SeaChange Summer Party Welcomed Special Guests Diane Lane and Josh Brolin

Press Release Date: October 3, 2011

Location: Laguna Beach, CA

Contact:

Dustin Cranor, APR | email: dcranor@oceana.org | tel: 954.348.1314

 

Laguna Beach, CA: This weekend, the largest international ocean conservation group Oceana welcomed special guests Diane Lane and Josh Brolin at the 4th annual SeaChange Summer Party. This year’s event took place at a spectacular private coastal villa in Laguna Beach.  Approximately 400 guests attended the event to raise over $900,000 dollars for Oceana.

 The event, which was hosted by actress Angela Kinsey and actor Ted Danson, featured passionate speeches from Academy Award Nominees Josh Brolin and Diane Lane about the need to protect the world’s oceans. Other celebrities in attendance included: Ted Danson, Aimee Teegarden, Angela Kinsey, Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr., Q’orianka Kilcher, Oscar Nunez and Austin Stowell.

 “She’s really embraced this like I’ve never seen her embrace anything,” said Josh Brolin of his wife, Diane Lane, during her introduction. “She’s been moved by this.”

 Brolin, a long time surfer, was followed at the podium by his wife who is an environmental activist in her own right. Diane Lane, a longtime supporter of Oceana, spoke of a personal connection to the ocean that was fostered on the other coast – the East Coast.

 “We are all here tonight out of love for our oceans, her bounty that feeds us, her beauty and her power that give us true awe,” commented Lane. “Oceana is where I turn for leadership in the changes that must be made to save the oceans. But it’s up to us to be pro-active, ambitious, far-reaching, deep-reaching in our pockets, demanding the changes in policies, lobbying for tougher laws and enforcing these changes with some teeth. Even if I were not here to speak tonight, I would be here to listen.”

Guests were treated to a sit-down dinner, presentations from several of Oceana’s directors and supporters, and a live-auction. Party-goers capped the evening with time spent dancing under the stars at the Post Party Lounge.

For three straight years, Oceana has been awarded the coveted four-star award by Charity Navigator for sound financial management. According to Charity Navigator, only 13% of the charities they rate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star ratings for their ability to efficiently manage and grow their finances.

The SeaChange Summer Party was made possible through the generous support from various distinguished local and international businesses. The evening was co-chaired by Valarie Van Cleave and Eve Kornyei. Partners and underwriters include the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation, David C. Copley, Tricia & Michael Berns, Deborah & Larry Bridges, Cynthia & Steve Fry, Center For Living Peace, Eve Kornyei & Michael J. Ruffatto, Harriet & Sandy Sandhu, South Coast Plaza, Burgess, Wells Fargo, Julie & Peter Hill, Sandi & Ron Simon, Carolyn Hotchkis, Valaree Wahler & LadyLUX, Wendy & Rick Aversano, One World One Ocean Foundation, Dwight Manley, Mutual of America, Gena & Nick Reed, Sutton & Christian Stracke, Travel Alberta, ROHL, Surterre Properties, Karen & Bruce Cahill, Coast Magazine, and Neiman Marcus.

This year’s exclusive media partner was Coast Magazine.

For a full list of underwriters and partners, host committee members, and more information about SeaChange visit www.SeaChangeSummerParty.org

For event photos and video, or more information please contact Jessica Wiseman or Michael Gardner

Jessica Wiseman (202.467.1934 | jwiseman@oceana.org)

Michael Gardner (202.467.1972 | mgardner@oceana.org )

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Oceana is the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world’s oceans. Oceana wins policy victories for the oceans using science-based campaigns. Since 2001, we have protected over 1.2 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. More than 500,000 supporters have already joined Oceana. Global in scope, Oceana has offices in North, South and Central America and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.oceana.org.