Shelling out for the bay
SM BEACH — A well-known environmental group let the stars do the walking and their wallets do the talking during a Santa Monica fund-raiser aimed at helping save the ocean.
Heal the Bay celebrated its 20th anniversary on Thursday with its annual “Bring Back the Beach” event in a circus-sized tent on Barnard Way, just south of the Santa Monica Pier. Celebrities, business leaders and the environmentally conscious came together to help raise awareness and funding for the numerous ocean cleanup programs Heal the Bay sponsors.
Mark Gold, executive director of Heal the Bay, said the amount of money raised this week will be made available in a week. The funding will be used to cover the cost of programs related to education and outreach — typically not covered by other funding — which comes mostly from corporate and government grants.
Gold said portions of the proceeds would also be used to help the Santa Monica Aquarium, which Heal the Bay operates.
The event featured a dinner prepared by Joachim Splichal, well-known chef and founder of the Patina Group, followed by live and silent auctions. The live auction featured a 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV, the second in a series of hybrid-powered vehicles from the Ford Motor Company.
Musical groups Hootie & The Blowfish and The Bangles performed, and producer and director Garry Marshall served as guest emcee at the fete.
A red carpet was laid out for arriving guests, who were photographed by dozens of paparazzi. More than 15 celebrities came out to support Heal the Bay, including supermodel Cindy Crawford, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus from “Seinfeld”, “Spider-man” star Toby Maguire, and Grammy Award-winner Kenny G.
“The environment is the only thing that truly matters to our generation,” said comedian Martin Short. “Since it does not matter to the President and his administration, it’s important to keep feeding the needs of Santa Monica and the ocean.”
The rest of the event was privately held and not made accessible to the media.
Gold said Heal the Bay has helped make Southern California sea waters safer and healthier for people and marine life through a unique approach that combines science, advocacy, education and enjoyment.
Heal the Bay operates for roughly $3 million per year, with fund-raising events and membership dues accounting for slightly more than half of the organization’s annual revenue, according to Gold.
Thirty-seven percent of the revenue comes from government and corporate grants, while the remaining 8 percent of support stems from in-kind services.
With more than 10,000 members, Heal the Bay reaches many Los Angeles area neighborhoods through volunteer programs, the Santa Monica Pier aquarium and events such as Coastal Cleanup Day. The organization, funded by government grants, corporate sponsorships and member donations, aims to inspire environmental stewardship by educating communities and individuals about ways to transform their neighborhoods and improve their local water quality.
“For two decades, the generous contributions have helped Heal the Bay clean up coastal waters,” said Gold.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 4, 2005. Read the original PDF.