Thursday, September 21, 2023
Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation is preparing for the annual online auction, Ocean Commotion, the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The auction presents a range of items, including dozens of unique Aquarium experiences, local attraction passes, and more. For the first time, the auction will feature the chance to dive in the Red Sea exhibit or the Norfolk Canyon exhibit. Other notable auction items include the opportunity to name the new tenrec ambassador, a street-legal golf cart and box seat tickets to the Virginia Tech versus Syracuse football game.
“The bids for this premier fundraiser have a direct impact on our work and mission,” said Aquarium president and CEO Cynthia Spanoulis. “We are excited to offer unique Aquarium experiences that give bid winners a personal look into the work we do.”
All event proceeds will be used to provide care for thousands of animals, educational offerings to guests, outreach programs to schools, to conduct research and conservation efforts, and to operate our nationally recognized Stranding Response Program. Generous corporate sponsors for the event include Capital Group as the title sponsor and Checkered Flag Auto Group as the Auction sponsor. Additional event sponsors include PRA Group, OptimaHealth/Sentara, TowneBank, and Virginia Natural Gas.
“The range of auction items are impressive, and we are pleased to be the title sponsor for this year’s Ocean Commotion,” said Michelle Collins, Senior Program Manager, Vice President at Capital Group. “We have proudly partnered with the Aquarium for 17 years, and we are passionate and quick to support the Aquarium and their mission.”
Anyone with a computer, tablet or smartphone can participate in the virtual auction and support the Aquarium. The auction runs from 9 a.m. on September 25 through 11:59 p.m. on October 7. To see the vast list of auction items and start bidding, go to the Ocean Commotion Auction Website .
For more information about Ocean Commotion and how to make a gift, visit VirginiaAquarium.com. Donations are also accepted by mail and can be addressed to the Virginia Aquarium Foundation at 717 General Booth Blvd., Suite 10, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. The Aquarium is also a member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Virginia Aquarium's mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. It is located at 717 General Booth Boulevard, just south of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
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