Ocean Discovery Institute & Friends Celebrated Its 10th Anniversary And New Name With Bubble Up!

Oct. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO, CA— Ocean Discovery Institute, formerly Aquatic Adventures, celebrated its 10th anniversary with Bubble Up!, a black tie gala that featured dining, entertainment, and live and silent auctions, at the Birch Aquarium on October 3, 2009. The event provided critical support and served as a celebration to recognize that the organization has been transforming young lives through science for over a decade.

“As we commemorate our 10th year, we are thrilled to share our exciting plans for growth and change including our new name, Ocean Discovery Institute, which will better demonstrate the organization’s vision and long-term commitment to improving our region.  The funds generated will open doors for more than 4,000 youth to gain an understanding of the sciences and nature and prepare these young people to become our future scientific and environmental leaders,” explained founder and executive director, Shara Fisler. In addition to the revealing of the organization’s new name, the new website was launched at http://www.oceandiscoveryinstitute.org.

This exclusive event included student-led tours of the aquarium, elaborate silent and live auctions, and an evening program hosted by Bill Menish, San Diego’s premier auctioneer, and Betty Hua, an organization alumna.  “As someone who has benefited from Ocean Discovery Institute’s programs, I was so excited to lead aquarium tours at the gala and help raise funds for many other young people like me,” said Bianca Espindola, high school senior.

Attendees included Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, Councilmember Todd Gloria, San Diego Unified School Board President Sheila Jackson, San Diego Unified School Board Vice President Richard Barrera, best-selling author Rich Louv, and Olympic bronze medalist Guenter Seidel. “I am so thrilled to co-chair this milestone event. This organization has an incredible impact on our community and this event demonstrates the diversity of support from elected officials, to scientific and philanthropic leaders,” said Sean Caddell of North San Diego County.

The event raised $150,000 which will directly fund tuition-free programs, which aim to engage, educate, and inspire youth from urban and diverse backgrounds through science-based exploration of the ocean and nature, preparing them to be tomorrow’s scientific and environmental leaders.

This event was made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors: Cox Communications; Cooley, Godward, Kronish, LLP; Gen-Probe; Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves and Savitch, LLP; Life Technologies; San Diego National Bank; Viejas Enterprises; and Nick Wagman Dressage.

About Ocean Discovery Institute
Founded in 1999, Ocean Discovery Institute’s vision is to empower urban and diverse youth to protect our ocean and natural environment, improve the health of our communities, and strengthen the quality of life in our world.  To find out more about Ocean Discovery Institute visit our web site at http://www.oceandiscoveryinstitute.org