Leaders from the entertainment, business and philanthropic communities attended Oceana's Partners Award Gala on Wednesday, October 30th at the Beverly Hills Wilshire to support Oceana’s efforts to protect the world’s oceans.
Credit/Copyright: Oceana/Tom Vickers
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and HBO CEO Richard Plepler were the night’s special guests and spoke about the importance of Oceana’s work and ocean conservation.
Credit/Copyright: Oceana/Tom Vickers
“More and more people appreciate what the oceans mean to them” said Clinton. “As Secretary of State, I had the great privilege of working on behalf of all of you to try and bring international agreements to the forefront, and Oceana helps to focus the mind on what needs to be done. We know what can work, and Oceana works to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to health.”
Credit/Copyright: Oceana/Tom Vickers
“HBO has a long history of using our voice to illuminate issues and challenges that face our planet. So it’s our honor to support the remarkable work of Oceana” remarked Plepler.
Credit/Copyright: Oceana/Tom Vickers
Keith Addis, Oceana’s President of the Board and event chairman said, “All the support received tonight will directly benefit Oceana and help to make sure that the world’s oceans are filled with life and can provide food to billions of people and employment to hundreds of millions of workers around the world.”
Celebrity attendees included Oceana board member Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen, Diane Lane, Jane Fonda, Kate Walsh, Kristin Davis, Sam Trammell, Maria Menounos, Cobie Smulders, Constance Zimmer, Sam Waterston, Melanie Griffith, Seth MacFarlane, Laura Dern, Harvey Weinstein, Ed Begley Jr., Dean Norris, Angela Kinsey, Austin Nichols, Dennis Haysbert, Emily Osment and more.
“I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and I’ve never been more excited than I am right now” commented actor and Oceana Board of Directors member, Ted Danson. “The prospects of having a vibrant ocean with sustainable fisheries are near.”
In addition to inspiring remarks by Hillary Rodham Clinton, guests were treated to a live musical performance from award winning recording artists Carly Simon and Natasha Bedingfield, along with Ben Taylor, the son of Carly Simon and James Taylor, and the Hamilton High School Choir.
The Partners Award Gala would not have been possible without the generous help from the event chairs and hosts, including Keri Selig & Keith Addis, Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham, Mary Steenburgen & Ted Danson , Calista Flockhart Ford & Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Brian Grazer, Dee & Tommy Hilfiger, Cheryl & Ron Howard, Lyn & Norman Lear, Sonny Ward & Michael Lombardo, Kelly & Ron Meyer, Trudie Styler & Sting, Sandy & Kevin Tsujihara, Joyce & John Varvatos, Lynn & Sam Waterston, and Noelle & Dick Wolf.
Leading online charity auction site, CharityBuzz is hosting a companion digital auction for the event at www.charitybuzz.com/oceana. The auction will be live until November 6th and includes auction lots such as a 7 Day Yacht Charter to the Pacific in 2014 Aboard the Luxurious Expedition Vessel, Plan B; visits to the sets of exciting television shows CSI and Under the Dome and lunch with stars Ted Danson and Dean Norris; seven incredible adventures provided by The Magnificent 7 – Luxury Wilderness Lodges of Canada; Corum timepieces, tickets to see Jeff Goldblum in DOMESTICATED and coffee with the star, stunning artwork courtesy of Peter Lik, Christopher Leidy, Peter Tunney and much more. Please visit www.charitybuzz.com/oceana to place your bid in support of Oceana and the Partners Award Gala today.
