Enchanted Salish Sea Dinner & Auction raises $142,000

$72,000 raised for the Make-a-Difference Fund

Hundreds of PTMSC supporters attended the 2019 "Enchanted Salish Sea" Dinner & Auction!

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center extends a big "Thank You!" to the hundreds of people who attended the 2019 “Enchanted Salish Sea” Dinner & Auction on Saturday evening, March 16. A new record was set, with $72,000 raised for the Make-a-Difference Fund, which supports youth programs and scholarships to inspire the stewards of the future.

Overall, the event raised $142,000 to fund youth camps, exhibits of marine flora and fauna, educational and historical displays, citizen science programs and community-based lecture series.

Presenting sponsor Kris Nelson's much-loved eateries!

Without the generosity of its supporters, the PTMSC simply could not exist. In addition to the funds raised, 16 sponsors and business partners provided much-appreciated underwriting and over 50 volunteers contributed hundreds of hours, both before the event and on the day of the auction, to make it all possible. Their names appear below.

A special thanks is extended to artist Timbul Cahyono, who created the kelp forest artwork that appeared in this year’s printed program and was on display throughout the venue. (See more of his art at the Response/Ability exhibit at Northwind Arts Center, where he won a Juror's Choice Award!)

Timbul Cahyono's kelp forest artwork;  

Highlighting the evening were the heartfelt speeches of Grace Johnson and Ella Piatt. Grace, an 18-year old resident of Marrowstone Island, recently participated in the YES (Youth Environmental Stewards) Program at PTMSC. She reflected on a memorable interaction she had with a young boy who was curious about feeding the sculpins at the Aquarium. 

“I told him that [sculpins] enjoy eating clams and small fish, that they prefer to live in inshore rocky and sandy areas, and how they usually swallow their food whole,” Grace said. “As I saw his excitement, I realized in that moment that, just maybe, I had stirred a curiosity within him that just might develop into a life-long passion.”

Ella, a 2010 graduate from Port Townsend High School, went on to earn an associate’s degree in marine and environmental conservation and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and anthropology. She currently works for the U.S. Geological Survey as a biological science technician studying Pacific herring.

Speakers Grace Johnson (left) and Ella Piatt (right) inspired the audience.

“When my parents took my siblings and I down to Fort Worden to participate in beach seines led by [PTMSC founder] Libby Palmer, I loved every bit of it,” Ella said. “That childhood excitement was what motivated me to apply to be an intern at the Marine Science Center as my high school senior project, where I helped with the planning and articulation of the beloved orca skeleton named Hope which is hanging at the Science Center Museum.

“Nine years after that internship, I moved back to Port Townsend and I decided I wanted to be part of the Marine Science Center again. I applied to become a volunteer and currently I work the front desk at the Museum and assist with the education programs.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Grace, Ella then gave voice to the inspiration that motivates everyone who works, volunteers, funds or otherwise supports the PTMSC.

“I want to restore a world that was once beautiful and pollution-free, back to the way it should be. I want to find ways to encourage the whole world to take a different path that's less harmful to nature. I want to make a global change. It's a huge goal but together it can be done."

Longtime PTMSC Board Member Linda Dacon was honored for
her many years of service as a volunteer, fundraiser and donor!

2019 PTMSC Enchanted Salish Sea” Dinner & Auction 

Sponsors:

• Orca level presenting sponsor: Kris Nelson (Sirens Pub, Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar, The Old Whiskey Mill, The In-Between)
• Octopus level sponsors: First Federal, Scott Zeeman
• Business partners (alphabetically): Allstate Insurance; Coldwell Banker Best Homes; The Food Co-op; Gale Investment Services; Gooding, O’Hara, and Mackey; Homer Smith Insurance; Jefferson Healthcare; John L Scott Port Townsend; Kristin Manwaring Insurance; Kosec Funeral Home; Port Townsend Sails; Stephen C. Moriarty Law Office; Tarboo Fire Extinguishers

Volunteers (alphabetically):

Kate Anderson, Katie Arbuckle, Renee Barron, Diane Baxter, Callay Boire, Becky Brown-Nienow, Timbul Cahyono, Paula Conner, Gretchen Copeland, Candice Cotterill, Mary Cross, Judy D’Amore, Linda Dacon, Bobbee Davidson, Sally Davis, Margot Desannoy, Jenifer DeWolf, Deb Diner, Jo Ferrero, Anita Freeze, Leslie Freitas, Carole Huelsberg, Gordon James, Nancy Jamieson, Katherine Jensen, Abbey Kaufman, Donna Larson, Thresa Locke, Sue Long, Cheryl Lowe, Janet Lozano, Ashley MacKenzie, Claude Manning, Zan Manning, Kate Marshall, Linda Martin, Jan Mier, Dave Olsen, Robin Orneles, Ed Robeau, Patti Rowdabaugh, Kirk Rowdabaugh, Anne Seeley, Ruth Shelley, Kevin Shelley, Terri Taylor, Mariela Tenorio, Alexandra terHorst, Peter terHorst, Rob Wamstad, Tim Weissman, Linda York

Here are a few more photos that depict the joy of giving that was on display at the “Enchanted Salish Sea” Dinner & Auction!