Sea of Love Soiree Chairwomen (l-r) Ann Heilakka, Jestena Boughton and Chris Davies. Photo provided
By Amy Woods
Sandoway Discovery Center has set its sights on a $75,000 fundraising goal for its signature society event, the Sea of Love Soiree.
The goal is lofty — $15,000 higher than the amount brought in last year — but doable, said Co-Chairwoman Chris Davies.
“We hope to have a sellout crowd and some new faces,” Davies said. “We want to draw in a younger group.”
Proceeds will benefit the oceanfront Delray Beach environmental education preserve and its array of offerings, including beach walks, butterfly gardens, shark feedings, shell collections, school field trips and student-outreach programs, all of which unfold in a 1936 Colonial Revival home on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s the best party of the year,” Davies said. “It brings everybody together for a common cause.”
The Ocean Club of Florida in Ocean Ridge will serve as the venue for the elegant evening of dinner and dancing. A reception will kick off the night with a silent auction of more than 200 items ranging from gift cards to golf packages to spa treatments.
“We’ll have all kinds of exhibitions there that night so people can get a feel for what’s going on at the center,” Davies said, noting that Executive Director Danica Sanborn and Education Director Evan Orellana will attend the soiree to spread the message — and the mission — of the nonprofit. “It will be like bringing the center to the Ocean Club.”
Co-Chairwoman Ann Heilakka said proceeds will also help pay for salaries, as the center has tripled its education staff in the last two years to offer more school field trips and student-outreach programs.
“We want to support our educators,” Heilakka said. “I’m passionate about the need for hands-on science. I’m passionate about the ocean and the ocean habitat. And I just love helping kids.”
Many children who come to the center have never seen the ocean before, she said.
“We want them to see the ocean, and we want them to care about the ocean.” Heilakka said. “We want them to care about the coastal marine environment where we live. We want them to share our excitement.”
If You Go
What: Sea of Love Soiree
When: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 cocktails and silent auction, 7:30 p.m. dinner and dancing
Where: The Ocean Club of Florida, 6849 N. Ocean Blvd., Ocean Ridge
Cost: $165
Info: Call 274-7263 or visit sandoway.org
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